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HISTORY 

/I 

OF THE 

SIXTH NEW YORK 
CAVALRY 

(SECOND IRA HARRIS GUARD) 

SECOND BRIGADE— FIRST DIVISION— CAVALRY CORPS 

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC 

1861 — 1865 



COMPILED FROM LETTERS, DIARIES, RECOLLECTIONS AND 
OFFICIAL RECORDS BY 

Committee on Regimental History 

Major HILLMAN A. HALL, Chairman 

Regt. Qr. Mr. Sgt. W. B.'bESLEY, Treasurer 

Sgt. gilbert G. wood. Historian 

1908 



♦ 



THE BLANCHARD PRESS, WORCESTER, MASS. 
1908 



'n 



TuBRARY of CONGRESS 
' Two Copies Received 
JAN 2/ 1^U9 

Copyngnt Emry 

0LA8S X^e. NO. 

COPY A. 



Copyright 190S by 

FERGUS A. E ASTON 

Worcester, Mass. 



Received from 
^opyri'^ht, O?"" -a, 



(oJt H 



Qyiy^'j^L^ -2- 



TO THE 
HONOR AND GLORY OF OUR COMRADES 

"mustered out" 

THIS BOOK IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED 

BY THOSE 

STILL "bivouacking" HERE. 



Introductory 

AT the fifteeiitli reuiiiou of the Veteran Asso- 
ciation of the Sixth New York Cavalry, held 
at Lewinsville, Va., Oct. 17th, 1906, the 
cjuestion of a regimental history was introduced 
and discussed. After giving the matter care- 
ful consideration and, through the liberality of 
Colonel (General) Charles L. Fitzlmgh, the monetary 
part of the project having been assured, it was 
voted that President Easton be given time to con- 
sider the subject, and that he then appoint a commit- 
tee, under whose direction the history should be pub- 
lished. He subsequently named the following com- 
rades: Hillman A. Hall, Washington, D. C; William 
B. Besley, Lewinsville, Va.; Gilbert G. Wood, Toms 
River, N. J. 

At a meeting of the committee held in Washington, 
D. C, Dec. 17th, 1906, Comrade Hall was chosen 
chairman. Comrade Besley treasurer, and Comrade 
Wood historian. 

With many misgivings we consented to undertake 
the preparation of the history of our regiment, fully 
appreciating the difficulties of the undertaking and 
the impossibility of producing a complete record of 
the command. 

Over forty years had gone by since the close of the 
war, and the majority of the actors in those stirring 
scenes had passed away, while the few survivors, hav- 
ing long since left their boyhood days behind them, 
found their memory grown dim and uncertain. 

There are few harder tasks than to write a fair, 
perfectly accurate story of the Civil War. 



6 History of the 

A recital of our country's struggles with other 
nations presents fewer difficulties. Most of those 
disputes are far enough away to allow the right per- 
spective. But the Civil War — perhaps the deadliest 
conflict in all history— is different. Brother fought 
against brother. Every battle, no matter which side 
won it, was a national calamity and a blow to our 
countrj^'s welfare. Family quarrels are ever the bit- 
terest. Thus, prejudice, rancor and hatred entered 
more than ordinarily into our Civil War and render 
an unbiased description of it less easy. One can, 
therefore, only relate, as impartially as possible, such 
of its innumerable happenings, causes and results of 
the unnatural combat that have been recorded as 
undoubted facts. 

In going over the history of the Civil War during 
its earlier days, and reading the many orders and let- 
ters passing to and fro between the War Department, 
Army Headquarters and commanding officers of 
separate stations, the reader requires no very high or 
extended military education to understand one of the 
causes of so many failures and defeats of the Fede- 
ral Army was the almost total absence of cavalry for 
reconnoitring and all other purposes where quick 
information is absolutely necessary for the proper 
manoeuvring of troops; nor of the success, during 
those dark days, of the enemy's movements, where 
each command was suplied with a good force of 
mounted men. An invading army weak in that arm 
against a foe well supplied was almost suicidal. One 
has but to read the accounts of 1861 and 1862, and 
then note the change after the organization of the 
Cavalry Corps early in 1863. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 7 

General McClellan, in liis report Oct. 15tli, 1862, of 
operations of the Army of the Potomac, writes : "A 
well organized system of recruiting and of depots for 
instruction should be adopted in order to keep the 
ranks of the regiments full and supply promptly 
losses arising from battle and disease. This is 
especially necessary for the artillery and cavalry 
arms of the service, which, from the beginning of the 
war, have rendered great service, and which have 
never been appreciated by any but their comrades." 

General Pope wrote, under date Chicago, July 17th, 
1861, to General Fremont: "We need specially to fit 
out one or two regiments of cavalry, sabres and 
revolvers. There are absolutely none in this part of 
the country," 

The reports of many affairs were never made or, if 
made, the record has not been kept or cannot be 
found. Many events occurred in which small bodies of 
men took i)art, and though the results might have been 
important and have led up to engagements of some 
magnitude, the fact that it was but a handful of men, 
and no casualties occurring, may have been consid- 
ered a sufficient reason for not making an official 
report; and many such atfairs of the regiment's ser- 
vices are now dim memories of the past. 

If anyone kept a continuous diary of his services, 
we have been unable to discover his name, four in- 
complete records being all that could be obtained, and 
no person could tell of events that were transpiring 
in other parts of the field where detachments were 
serving. We have made an effort to record, as far as 
could be remembered and ascertained, the story of 
the regiment, which it is hoped will be of interest, at 
least, to the survivors. 



8 History of the 

Our thanks are due to comrades who have aided us 
by copies of their records (particularly those of our 
late comrade, Thomas M. Wells), as well as sketches 
of events in their service; and with the belief that no 
man can tell another man's story as well as himself, 
we have woven their contributions into the fabric of 
this record. 

Looking back over a period of many years we 
behold a magnificent regiment with full ranks of 
patriotic young men taking their departure for the 
front. Pour years later a portion returns as battle- 
scarred veterans, ?.ll more or less injured, and life 
shortened by exposure and hardship. To-day we 
gaze upon the fragments that survive — we are but the 
rear-guard, the main body having crossed the dark 
river and pitched their tents in the bright beyond. 

To those comrades who have contributed the story 
of their prison life we also desire to acknowledge our 
obligations. These narratives will be found of thrill- 
ing interest, particularly to those who shared in the 
sufferings, the hopes and the despair of the days and 
scenes of which they write. 

And to our comrade and worthy President, F. A. 
Easton, we would extend our many thanks for his 
untiring zeal and patriotic perseverance, as well as 
the gathering of the many portraits and scenes that 
appear on the pages of this book. 

With this introduction, and asking you to bear in 
mind that no two actors in the great drama saw things 
from the same standpoint, nor with the same eyes, we 
submit to our Veteran A ssociation * ' The Story of the 
Sixth New York Cavalry." 

HiLLMAN A. Hall, Chairman. 
W. B. Besley, Treasurer. 
Gilbert Gr. Wood, Historian. 



Sixth Neir York Cavalry. 9 

The cause and beginning of the Civil War has been 
the theme of so many writers, and so much has been 
said in so many, if not all, of the publications on the 
subject, that we think it unnecessary to refer to it, 
other than to say that our Southern l)rothers, chafing 
under a fancied wrong, in the heat of j^assion, born of 
disappointment, fired upon the flag which they, as 
well as the North, had loved so dearly, and by their 
own act forced the loyal people of the Union to rise 
up in its defense. Slowly, as though awakening from 
a horrible dream, the authorities realized that war 
was upon us; that action was necessary; that imme- 
diate steps must be taken to rebuke the insult offered 
the flag at "Sumter." 

At the first call of the President, the loyal men of 
the nation rose up and proclaimed their devotion to 
the country. 

Money, time, brains and lives were freely offered, 
that the honor of the nation and glory of the flag 
might be preserved; and when, after four years of 
hard struggle, and the sacrifice of nearly one million 
lives, the bloodiest war on record was brought to a 
close, the grand old flag once more floated over a 
re-united country, and the vanquished foe was ready 
to cry out with the victors : 

"Let us have peace." 



The Call to Arms 

ON APRIL loth, 1861, the United States Govera- 
meiit took its first decided step for the suppression 
of the RebelHon. On that day President Lincoln issued 
the following proclamation, calling for 75,000 militia 
for three months' service: 

PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas, the laws of the United States have been for some 
time past, and now are, opposed, and the execution thereof 
obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Ala- 
bama, Florida, IMississippi, Louisiana and Texas, by combi- 
nations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course 
of judicial proceedings, or by the power vested in the Mar- 
shals by law; now. therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President 
of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested by 
the Constitntion and the laws, have thought fit to call forth 
the militia of the several states of the Union, to the aggre- 
gate number of 75.000, in order to suppress said combinations, 
and to cause the laws to be duly executed. 

The details for this object will be immediately communi- 
cated to the State authorities through the War Department. 
I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate and aid this 
effort to maintain the honor, the integrity and existence of 
our National Union, and the perpetuity of popular govern- 
ment, and to redress wrongs already long enough endured. 
I deem it proper to say that the first service assigned to the 
forces hereby called forth will probably be to repossess the 
forts, places and property which have been seized from the 
Union; and in every event the utmost care will be observed, 
consistently with the objects aforesaid, to avoid any devasta- 
tion, any destruction, or interference with property, or any 



12 History of the [1861 

disturbance of peaceful citizens of any part of the country; 
and I hereljy command the persons composing the combina- 
tions aforesaid, to disperse and retire peacefully to their 
respective abodes within twenty days from this date. 

Deeming that the present condition of public affairs pre- 
sents an extraordinary occasion, I do hereby, by virtue of the 
power in me vested by the Constitution, convene both houses 
of Congress. The senators and representatives are, there- 
fore, summoned to assembly at their respective chambers at 
12 o'clock, noon, on Thursday, the fourth day of July next, 
theu and there to consider and determine such measures as, 
in their wisdom, the public safety and interest may seem to 
demand. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and 
caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. 

Done at the city of Washington, this fifteenth day of April, 
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty- 
one, and of the independence of the United States the eighty- 
fifth. 

Abraham Lincoln. 

By the President : 

Wm. H. SewarDj Secretaiy of State. 

Under this proclamation, the emergency demand- 
ing prompt action, Governor Morgan of New York at 
once issued orders for the available organized militia 
to march, and on April 19tli the Seventh Regiment 
left for the city of Washington. On the 21st, the 
Sixth, Tw^elfth and Seventy-first Regiments followed. 
By April 30th six other regiments of militia and the 
Ellsworth Fire Zouaves, a two-years' regiment, had 
left the State for active service. Similar action was 
taken by the Governor and State of Massachusetts. 

Rebel leaders had been frantically urging the 
secessionists to advance at once and capture AYash- 
ington, and this prompt movement by the militia of 



1861] Sixth New York Cavalry. 13 

New York and Massacliiisetts no doubt saved the 
Capitol from such a dire calamity. 

At the end of their three months' service the militia 
regiments were discharged and a large portion of the 
men enlisted in the regiments, organizing for three 
years' service. 

On May 3d the President issued the following 
proclamation, calling into service thirty-nine regi- 
ments of volunteer infantry and one regiment of cav- 
alry, an aggregate of 42,034 men, for three years, 
unless sooner discharged. 

PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas, existing exigencies demand immediate and ade- 
quate measures for the protection of the National Constitu- 
tion and the preservation of the National Union by the sup- 
pression of the insurrectionary combinations now existing in 
several States for opposing the laws of the Union and ol)- 
structing the execution thereof, to which end a military force 
in addition to that called forth by my proclamatiou of the 
15th of April, in the present year, appears to be indispensa- 
1)]y necessary; 

Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the 
United States, and Commander-in chief of the Army and 
Nays' thereof, and of the militia of the several States when 
called into actual service, do hereby call into the service of 
the United States 42.034 volunteers to serve for the period 
of three years, unless sooner discharged, and to be mustered 
into service as infantry and cavalry. The proportions of 
each arm and the details of enrollment and organization will 
be made known through the Department of War. 

And I also direct that the regular army of the United 
States be increased by the addition of eight regiments of 
infantry, one regiment of cavalry and one regiment of artil- 
lery, making altogether a maximum agcregate increase of 



14 History of the [1861 

22,714 officers and enlisted men, the details of which increase 
will also be made known through the Department of War. 

And I further direct the enlistment for not less than one 
nor more than three years, of eighteen thousand seamen, in 
addition to the present force, for the naval service of the 
United States. The details of the enlistment and organiza- 
tion will be made known through the Department of the Navy. 
The call for volunteers, hereby made, and the directions 
for the increase of the regular army, and for the enlistment 
of seamen hereby given, together with the plan of organiza- 
tion adopted for the volunteers and for the regular forces 
hereby authorized, will be submitted to Congress as soon as 
assembled. 

In the meantime I earnestly invoke the co-operation of all 
good citizens in the measures hereby adopted, for the effec- 
tual suppression of unlawful violence, for the impartial en- 
forcement of constitutional laws, and for the speediest possible 
restoration of peace and order, and, with these, of happiness 
and prosperity throughout the country. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and 

caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at 

the city of Washington this third day of 

r -x May. in the year of our Lord, one thousand 

-^ L. s. I eight hundred and sixty-one, and of the 

^ * independence of the United States the 

eighty-fifth. 

Abraham Lincoln. 
By the President : 

Wm. H. Sew^xVRD, Secretary of State. 

Congress convened in extra session July 4tli and 
adjourned Ang. 6tli, 1861. Among its measures it 
authorized the President to accept the services of vol- 
unteers for three years, in such numbers not to 
exceed one million, as he might deem necessary for 
the purpose of repelling and suppressing insurrec- 



1861] Sixth New York Cavalry. 15 

tions. Under the President's proclamation of May 3d, 
and the reqnest by the President that New York State 
furnish 2r3,000 men, Governor Edwin D. Morgan 
issued the following ]iroclamation July 25th, 1861: 

The President of the United States having requested me to 
furnish additional troops for the prompt suppression of 
resistance to the Constitution and the Laws, I do hereby call 
for a volunteer force of 25,000 men, to serve for three years 
or during' the war. Such force will he raised pursuant to a 
general order, which will be issued immediately, and which 
will prescribe the mode of organization. 

To the end that every portion of the State may have an 
opportunity to contribute thereto, the rendezvous will be at 
New York, Albany and Elmira; the headciuarters at 
Albany. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto ■ set my hand and 
affixed the privy seal of the State at the city of Albany, this 
25th day of July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand 
eight hundred and sixty-one. 

Edwin D. ]Morgan, 

By the Governor: 

LocKWOOD L. Doty, Private Secretary. 

On .July oOtli (lovernor Morgan issued General 
Orders No. 78, which referred to the immediate 
recruiting of twenty-five regiments of infantry, with 
the regulations for their organization, and on Aug. 
17th General Orders No. 87, referring to two regi- 
ments of cavalry, and two regiments of artillery, with 
the regulations for their organization. 

The feeling was intense throughout the State. 
Applications for authority to raise troops came from 
every quarter. War meetings were held in every 
town and the spirit of volunteering was at fever heat. 
The ardor of the ])eople was beyond description; the 



16 Sixth New York Cavalry. [1861 

State Militai/ Department was flooded with requests 
for authority to raise regiments and companies, mak- 
ing it necessary to establish branch depots for the 
reception of companies and the organization of regi- 
ments, to meet the spirit of the people and to enable 
their prompt and efficient co-operation. Such depots 
were established between Aug. 23d and Nov. 22d, in 
the order named : at Oswego, Saratoga, Buffalo, Roch- 
ester, Ogdensburg, Auburn, Kingston, Westfield, 
Syracuse, Brooklyn, Boonville, Geneseo, Cortland- 
ville, Plattsburg, Cherry Valley, Potsdam, Malone, 
Unadilla, Hancock, Madison Barracks, Lyons, Utica, 
LeRov and Nineveh. 



Organization of the Sixth New York 

Cavalry 

THE Sixth Kegiment of New York Cav- 
alry — a regiment that made one of the 
most creditable records for service dur- 
ing the late War of the Rebellion — was organized 
under special authority from the War Depart- 
ment, and was formed out of what was first 
known as the Ira Harris Guard, so called in honor of 
Senator Ira Harris of New York, who had secured 
the authority for its formation. No aid was received on 
enlistment — it was raised under the patronage of Sen- 
ator Ira Harris. It was raised in response to a demand 
for mounted troops to meet the exigencies of the ser- 
vices that had become manifest by the operations of 
the famous "Black Horse Cavalry" of the Confed- 
erate Army during the Bull Run campaign in July, 
1861. Col. 0. DeForest of New York city was 
authorized by the President to raise a regiment to 
form the "Ira Harris Cavalry Brigade." The 
recruiting headquarters were at No. 4 Pine Street, 
New York city, and the first rendezvous for the com- 
mand was at "Camp Herndon" and "Camp Scott," 
Staten Island, N. Y. Volunteering commenced in 
July, and its organization was completed as early as 
Oct. 24th, and was, after having been turned over to 
the State Nov. 20th, designated the Sixth Regiment 
of Cavalry, New Y^ork Volunteers, and when formed 
in New York city, went in camp at "Camp Scott" 
with Colonel DeForest as post commander. It was 
2 



18 History of the [1861 

recruited from throughout the State; from Massachu- 
setts and Washington. Its first commander was Col. 
Thomas C Devin, and left the State under his com- 
mand Dec. 23d. It participated in all the campaigns 
of the Army of the Potomac, as attested by the graves 
of its members scattered all over the State of Vir- 
ginia. 

The companies were mustered in the service of the 
United States : 

At New York City^ 

Company A — ^September 12th. 
Company B — September 27th. 
Company D — September 28tli. 
Company I — November 2d. 

At Staten Island, N. Y. — 

Company L — November 6tli. 
Company E — October 3rd. 
Company F — October 24th. 
Company 11 — October 28th. 
Company K — December 19th. 
Company INI — December 19th. 

At Rochester. X. Y. — 

Company C — September 29th. 

At Binghamton, N. Y. — ■ 

Company G — October 21th. 

The companies were recruited principally : A at 
New Y^ork city and Cohoes, N. Y., and Boston, Mass.; 
B and L at New Y'ork city; C at Rochester, Cohocton, 
Geneseo, Hornellsville and Dansville; D at Troy, 
Cherry Valley, Granville and New Y'ork city; E at 



1861] Sixth New York Cavalry. 19 

New York city, Albany, Watertown, Cherry Valley, 
Salt Springs and Cape Vincent; F at New York city 
and Pougiikeepsie ; Gr at Bingliamton, Rochester, Hor- 
nellsville and Albion; H at New York city, Dover 
Plains and Washington; I at New York city, Cuba, 
Franklinville, Gouverneur, Angelica and Bingliamton; 
K at Ogdensburg, Geneseo, Lisbon and Canton; M at 
Kinderhook and Hudson. 

The regiment left the State Dec. 23d, commanded 
by Col. Thomas C. Devin, and served at York, Penn., 
and Perryville, Md., until the following spring, when 
it was ordered to the front. 

On the 20th of November, 1861, the following order 
was issued from the Adjutant-general's office at Al- 
bany, N. Y., referring to this regiment : 

General Headquarters State of New York, 
Adjutant-general 's Office, 
Albany, Nov. 20th, 1861. 

Special Orders No. 504. 

'In accordance with General Order No. 78 from this de- 
partment, and General Orders Nos. 48 and 71 from the War 
Department, the companies of the organization heretofore 
known as the Ira Harris Cavalry are hereby formed into a 
regiment to be designated as the Sixth Regiment, New York 
Volunteer Cavalry. 

The following persons will be appointed field, staff and 
company officers of the regiment thns formed when they 
shall have passed the examination required by General Order 
No. 78. and will be commissioned whenever the field, staff 
and company muster rolls, certified to by the mustering offi- 
cers, shall have been filed in the office of the Adjutant-gen- 
eral of the State : 

Colonel. Thomas C. Devin. 
Lieutenant-colonel. Duncan McVicar. 



20 



History of the 



[1861 



First Major, James B. Dailey. 

Second Major, John Carwardine. 

Third Major, Floyd Clarkson. 

Regimental Adjutant, George A. Crocker. 

Regimental Quartermaster, Henry A. Wetmore. 

First Battalion Adjutant, Jacob C. Schoener. 

Second Battalion Adjutant, Henry Mahnken. 

Third Battalion Adjutant, William L. Mann. 

First Battalion Quartermaster. J. P. Howell. 

Second Battalion Quartermaster, D. P. Richardson. 

Third Battalion Quartennaster, . 

Chaplain, George D. Crocker. 

Surgeon, L. McKay. 

Assistant Surgeon, Augustus P. Clark. 



COMPANY OFFICERS. 



A 

Captain, Freeman Orme. 
Lieutenant, F. A. Patterson. 
Lieutenant, D. T. Jackson. 

B 

Captain, Frank B. Medlar. 
Lieutenant, Hillman A. Hall. 
Lieutenant, J. P. Howell 
(Act. Bat. Quartermaster). 

C 
Captain, James W. Stanley. 
Lieutenant, pJohn Pierce. 
Lieutenant, Volney V. Smith. 

D 
Captain, Henry W. Lyon. 
Lieutenant, Philip R. Wales. 
Lieutenant, Raymond L. 
Wright. 



E 



Captain, Wm. E. Beardsley. 
Lieutenant, Wm. Edwards. 
Lieutenant, John G. Cooper. 

F 

Captain, Diodate C. Han- 
nahs. 

Lieutenant, Geo. A. Crocker 
(Act. Regt. Adjt.) 

Lieutenant, Robert Crozier. 

G 

Captain, William A. Sheldon. 
Lieutenant, Robert E. Eller- 

beck. 
Lieutenant, Edward P. Mc- 

Kinney. 



1861] 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 



21 



H 

Captain, William P. Hall. 
Lieutenant, Wm. F. Aitken. 
Lieutenant, Edward Titus. 



Captain, William H. Crocker. 
Lieutenant, David P. Rich- 
ardson (Act. Bat. Q. M.). 
Lieutenant, J. Hamilton Bell. 

K 

Captain, Riley Johnson. 
Lieutenant, George W. Goler. 



Lieutenant, Henry A. Wet- 
more (Act. Regt. Q. M.). 



Captain, John L. Smith. 
Lieutenant, Harrison White. 
Lieutenant Wm. A. Parke. 

M 

Captain, Geo. M. VanBuren. 
Lieutenant, William L. Heer- 

mance. 
Lieutenant, Chas. A. Everts. 



Officers rendered supernumerary by the provisions of this 
order are hereby honorably discharged. 

Brigadier General Yates is charged with the execution of 
the details of this order. 

By order of the Commander-in-chief, 

(Signed) Thos. Hillhouse, 

Adjutant-general. 



Regimental Engagements 

IN March, 1862, Companies 1) and K were mounted 
and assigned to the Second Corps and F and H to 
the Fourth Corps on the Peninsula. The First 
and Second Battalions were attached to General Wads- 
worth 's command, and mounted in May, 1862. Com- 
panies D and K served with the Second Cori)s until 
July, 1863, and in the Department of Washington 
until October, 1863; and F and H w^ith the Fourth 
Corps until August, 1863, when they rejoined the regi- 
ment. 

The First and Second Battalions served with the 
Ninth Corps from August, 1862 (Company A with 
the Sixth Corps in September, 1862) ; in the Second 
Brigade, Pleasanton's Cavalry Division, Right Grrand 
Division, Army of the Potomac, from December, 
1862; in the Second Brigade, First Division, Cavalry 
Corps, Army of the Potomac, from February, 1863 
(Companies B and C serving with the Ninth Corps in 
January and February, 1863, and a detachment with 
the Twenty-second Corps in July and August, 1863) ; 
with the Army of the Shenandoah from August, 1864, 
and with the Army of the Potomac from March 26tli, 
1865, to June 17th, 1865. Under command of Col. 
Charles L. Fitzhugh (Colonel Devin having been ap- 
pointed a brigadier-general), the regiment was con- 
solidated into eight companies, and these, with the 
Fifteenth New York Volunteer Cavalry, formed into a 
new organization known as the "Second Provisional 
Regiment New York Volunteer Cavalry," becoming 
Companies A, B, C, D, E, I, L and M of the latter. 

The regiment, or portions of it, took part in the fol- 
lowing engagements, etc. : 



24 History of the 

1862. 

Aggregate 

East Pan, Va., March 30th. 

Siege of Yorktown, Va., April 5th to May 4th. 

Williamsburg, Va., May 5th. 

Charles City, Va., May 28th. 

Fair Oaks, Va., May 31st to June 1st. 

Seven Days' Battle, Va., June 25th to July 2d. 

Peach Orchard, Va., June 29th. 

Savage Station, Va., June 29th. 

Glendale, Va., June 30th. 

Malvern Hill, Va., July 1st. 

Orange C. H., Va., Aug. 14th. One man killed, 1 

Culpeper Road, Va., Aug. 19th. Three men wounded, 
three missing, 6 

Barnett's Ford, Va., Aug. 20th. One man killed, 1 

Kelly's Ford, Va., Aug. 30th. One officer wounded, 1 

Williamsburg, Va., Sept. 9th. 

Near Hyattstown, Md.. Sept. 9th and lOtli. 

Fredericks City, Md., Sept. 12th. 

South Mountain, Md., Sept. 14th. 

Antietam, Md., Sept. 17th. One man died of 
wounds and two men wounded, 3 

Lovettsville, Va., Oct. 3d. 

Kearneysville, Va., Oct. 16th. 

Near Charlestown, W. Va., Oct. 16th and 17th. 

Near Lovettsville, Va., and near Wheatland, Va., 
Oct. 21st. One man killed and four men wounded and 
two missing, 7 

Upperville, Va., Nov. 3d. One man missing, 1 

Ellis' Ford, Va., Dec. 1st. 

Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. llth-15th. One man 
wounded, 1 

Mathews Co. C. H., Va., Dec. 12th. 

Buena Vista, Va., Dec. 13th. One man missing, 1 

Wood's Crossroads, Va., Dec. 14th. 



Sixth Neir York Cavalry. 25 

1863. 

Aggregato 

Pamunky River, Va., Jan. 8th. One man wounded, 1 

Fort MaoTuder, Va., April 11th. 

Germanna and Richard's Fords, Va., April 29th. 

Crookes Rnn. Va., April 29th. One man killed, 
one officer and three men wounded, 5 

Spottsylvania C. H., Va., April 30th. One officer 
and two men killed, one man died of wonnds, two offi- 
cers and nine men wounded, one officer and thirty-five 
men missing, 51 

Chancellorsville, Va., May 1st and 3d. One man 
killed, one officer and two men wounded and seventeen 
men missing, 21 

White House, Va., May 7th. One officer killed, 1 

Warwick River, Va., June 5th. 

Beverly's Ford, Va., June 9tli. One officer died 
of wounds and three men wounded, 4 

Upperville, Va., June 21st. One man wounded, 1 

Middleburg. Va., June 22d. One man died of 
wounds, 1 

Haymarket, Va., June 24th and 25th. One officer 
and two men missing and one man wounded, 4 

Fairfield, Pa., June 3(>th. 

Green Castle, Pa., July 1st. 

Waynesboro, Pa., July 1st. 

Baltimore Crossroads, Va., July 1st. 

Gettysburg, Pa., July lst-3rd. Three men wounded 
and eight missing and one man killed and one died of 
wounds, 13 

Crump's Crossroads, Va., July 2d. 

Williamsport, Md., July 6th. One man killed and 
one officer and two men missing, 4 

Boonsboro, Md., July 8th. 

Beaver Creek, Md., July 9th. One man wounded, 1 

Funkstown, Md., Julv 10th to 13th. 



26 Hlstoiy of the 

Aggregate 

Falling Waters, Va., July lith. 

Manassas Gap, Va., July 21st and 22d. 

Wapping Heights, Va., July 23d. 

Barber's Crossroads, Va., July 25th. 

Brandy Station, Va., Aug. 1st. One officer wounded, 1 

Brandy Station, Va., Aug. 4th. 

Stevensburg, Va., Sept. 13th. 

Raccoon Ford, Va., Sept. 14th and 15th. One man 
wounded, 1 

Raccoon Ford, Va., Sept. 19th. 

Jack's Shop, Va., Sept. 22d and 23d. 

Germanna Ford, Va., Oct. 10th; Kelly's Ford, Oct. 
10th; Morton's Ford, Oct. 11th; Brandy Station, Oct. 
11th; Culpeper, Oct. 12th; Near Bristoe Station, Oct. 
14th; Oak Hill, Oct. 15th. One officer killed, eight 
men killed, four men died of wounds, one officer and 
eight men wounded and one officer and four men 
missing, 27 

Culpeper, Oct. 17th and 18th. 

Bealeton Station, Oct. 24th and 26th. Three men 
wounded and one missing, 4 

Muddy Run, Nov. 8th. 

]\rine Run campaign, Nov. 26th to Dec. 2d. 

1864. 

Barnett's Ford, Jan. 20th. 
Barnett's Ford, Feb. 6th and 7th. 
Beaverdam Station, Feb. 29th. 
Frederick Hall, Feb. 29th. 
South Anna Bridge, Feb. 29th. 
Defenses of Richmond, Mar. 1st. 
Aylett's, Mar. 2d. 
Kings and Queens, Mar. 3d. 
Corbin's Bridge, Mar. 6th. 
Todd's Tavern, Mar. 7th. 
Carrollton's Store, Mar. 11th. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 27 

Aggregate 

Madison C. H., April 28th. 

Wilderness, May Sth to 7th. Ten men wounded and 
one missing, one man killed and one died of wounds, 13 

Spottsylvania C. H., May Sth. 

Sheridan's raid to James River, May 9th to 24th. 

Beaverdam Station, May 9th. 

North Anna, May 10th. 

Yellow Tavern, ]\Iay 11th. 

Fortifications of Richmond, !May 12th. 

Meadow Bridge, INIay 12th. 

Mechanicsville. May loth. 

New Market, I\Iay 16th. 

Jones' Bridge, May 17th. 

Totopotomoy, May 27th to 80th. 

Hanovertown. May 27th and 28th. 

Near Old Church, May 30th. Three men killed 
and one man died of wounds, two officers and five men 
wounded, and two men missing, 13 

Cold Harbor, May 31st to June 6th. 

Cold Harbor, May 31st and June 1st. One officer 
and three men wounded, two men killed and two miss- 
ing, 8 

Gaines Mills, June 2d. 

Bottom's Bridge, June 3d and 4th. 

Trevilians Station, June 11th and 12th. Four men 
killed and two died of wounds, one officer and eight 
men wounded and twenty-five men missing, 40 

St. Peter's Church, June. 

White House Landing, June 21st. 

Jones' Bridge, June 23d. Four men killed and 
three died of wounds, one officer and nine men 
wounded and one officer and four men missing, 22 

Charles City C. H., June 24th. One man wounded, 1 

Before Petersburg, June 26th to July 30th. 

Ream's Station, July 18th. 



28 History of the 

Aggregate 

Deep Bottom, July 26th to 29th. One man killed 
and one officer and six men wounded, 8 

Newmarket, July 28th. 

Berryville, Aug. 10th. Three men wounded, 3 

Front Royal, Aug. lltli. One man died of wounds, 
two officers and fifteen men wounded and two men 
missing, 20 

White Post. Aug. 11th. 

Cedar Creek, Aug. 12th. Three men wounded, 3 

Lebanon Church, Aug. 12th. 

Berryville, Aug. 13th. Two men wounded and 
eighteen missing, 20 

Crooked Run, Aug. 16th. Three men killed and 
six wounded. 9 

South Cedarville, Aug 16th. 

Charlestown. Aug. 21st. One man died of Mounds, 
one officer and seven men wounded, 9 

Kearneysville. Aug. 25th. Two men wounded, 2 

Leetown, August 29th. Two men killed, five 
wounded and one missing. 8 

Port Republic, Sept. 1st. One man wounded, one 
officer and one man missing, 3 

Berryville, Sept. 4th. Five men killed and four 
wounded, two officers and twenty-one men missing, 32 

Bunker Hill, Sept. 13th. One man wounded, 1 

Opequon, Sept. 19th. One officer and two men 
killed, two men died of wounds, two officers and five 
men wounded and six men missing, 18 

Fisher's Hill, Sept. 22d. 

Front Royal. Sept. 23d and 24th. Three men 
missing, 3 

Port Republic, Sept. 26th and 27th. One officer 
and tM^o men missing. 3 

Waynesboro, Sept. 30th. 

Fisher's Hill, Oct. 6th. One officer died of wounds. 1 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 29 

Aggregate 

Grabbitt's Mills, Oct. 8tli. 

Tom's Brook, Oct. 9th. One man died of wounds, 1 

Near Strasburg, Oct. 14th. 

Cedar Creek, Oct. 19tli. One officer and one man 
killed, two men died of wounds and one wounded, 5 

Woodstock, Oct. 20th. 

Newtown, Nov. 12th. One man killed, one officer 
and five men wounded, 7 

Kood's Hill, Nov. 22d. 

Liberty Mills, Dec. 21st. 

Jack's Shop, Dec. 22d. One man wounded, 1 

1865. 

Lovett's j\lills, Jan. 17th. One man killed and three 
wounded, one officer and two men died of wounds 
and four men missing, 11 

Waynesboro, INIarch 2d. 

Goochland Co. C. H., Mar. 11th. 

Charlottesville, March 12tli. One man missing, 1 

Dinwiddle C. II., March 30th and 31st. Two men 
wounded, 2 

Five Forks, April 1st. Two officers and three men 
wounded, one officer and three men missing, 9 

Fall of Petersburg, April 2d. 

Deep Creek, April 3d. 

Near Amelia C. H., April -Ith. 

Sailor's Creek, April 6th. One man wounded, 1 

Appomattox Station, April 8th. 

Appomattox Court House, April 9th. Lee's sur- 
render. 

On picket and other minor affairs. One man killed 
and four wounded, two officers and sixteen men miss- 
ing, 23 



30 Sixth New York Cavalry. 

Total: 

5 officers killed 
48 men killed 

•4 officers died of wounds 
24 men died of wounds 
20 officers wounded 
162 men wounded 

12 officers missing 
197 men missing 



472 



Aggregate : 

The number of battles, engagements and skinnishes in 
which the whole or a part of the Sixth New York Cavalry 
was engaged, was 143. 



"Camp Scott" 

THE regiment rendezvoused in "Camp Scott," 
Staten Island, N. Y., in November, 1861. 
No incident of great importance occurred 
there, the time being pretty well taken up in 
drill, dress parade, inspection and all the other 
duties and occupations attending a military organiza- 
tion. Colonel Devin was found to be just the 
man to organize and drill the men. As there 
were no horses, the men used ropes to form squads, 
companies and even squadrons to drill. Company K 
(Captain Johnson) alone was mounted. 

Dec. 4th.— Rumors of the regiment being dis- 
banded. 

Dec. ()th.— The men rebelled over the food, and tore 
down the cook-house. The regiment was quartered 
in A tents. About a quarter of a mile from camp was 
the cook-house, where the regiment was fed by con- 
tract. One large room had tables in it, where the men 
ate by companies when the weather was bad. Acting 
Quartermaster Sergeant John McVicar hearing the 
pounding climbed upon a pile of saddle boxes to 
reconnoitre. The noise awakened Lieutenant-colonel 
McVicar, who called out, "AVhat's going on, John?" 
and was answered, "I guess the boys have been given 
some more rotten fish for breakfast (there had been 
several com]ilaints before) and are liattering down 
the cook-house." Out of bed the Colonel jumped, got 
quickly into his uniform, grabbed a couple of revol- 
vers, and was off on the double quick. As he ap- 
proached the cook-house, some of the boys had got a 



32 Histoiy of the [1861 

4x4 piece of timber and were about to use it as a bat- 
tering ram, when one of them saw him, and, calling 
out, "Oh, the Colonel!" dropped his end and ran, the 
others following suit. The Colonel got things 
quieted, and then addressed the men there, two com- 
panies, telling them how foolish their action was, as 
now they would have no shelter to eat under, etc., and 
unfortunately adding, "Now, if you had whipped the 
cook, it would not have been so bad," etc. At this, a 
howl T\'ent up and away went a lot of the men after 
the cook, who had meantime fled across the field. 
Dec. 16th. — The regiment was supplied with sabres. 

LEAVING CAMP SCOTT. 

Monday, Dec. 23d, 1861.— A cold, rainy day. The 
regiment struck tents at twelve o'clock noon, and at 
two o'clock took up the line of march, the rain contin- 
uing to pour, and arrived at the Clifton (Stapleton) 
Landing, two miles from camp, about three o'clock. 
Here a large barge, with the steamer "Camp Scott 
Ferry" by its side, was waiting to convey it to Eliza- 
bethport, N. J. The embarkation immediately com- 
menced, for the men were anxious to hide their uni- 
forms, as well as themselves, from the drenching 
rain. In less than four hours all were on board, 
which included 850 men, 200 horses, and any amount 
of baggage. The old scow, as some of the boys termed 
her (and it must be confessed the title was quite ap- 
plicable), being disengaged from Clifton dock, at 
once proceeded, through the agency of the steamer, 
on its intended journey. Perhaps a brief description 
of the transport and its conveniences for the small 
comfort of wet and chilled soldiers, will not be amiss 




Bvr. Major-i^enehai, THOMAS C. DEVIX. 



18G1] Slxtli New York Cavalry. 33 

here. It is possible that I may not give a correct 
statement of its dimensions, for it is somewhat diffi- 
cult to concentrate the mental powers on any one sub- 
ject when in the midst of confusion and tumult — the 
men were compelled to stamp their feet, clap their 
hands, and everything else imaginable which would 
create warmth and keep the blood in circulation, and 
joining in the chorus of clamor, neglected to make a 
close survey, but would say its length was 125 feet 
and width 45 feet, and consisted of an upper and 
lower deck — the horses below and the entire regiment 
above — except a few files that were detailed to man- 
age the horses, and a small number who were fortu- 
nate enough to escape to the "Ferry." Here the men 
were huddled together, like a flock of sheep, in a nar- 
row enclosure, the cold, piercing wind having full 
access to them and almost freezing the marrow in 
their bones. The main decks and holds of the barge 
were so densely jiacked that tlie}^ could hardly move 
about. Toward evening a storm came up. It was 
late at night before a start was made. Getting out in 
the bay, on it sailed, in a northerly direction, then 
westerly, and crossing Kill-von-Kull the men realized 
that they were in great peril, as the vessels were roll- 
ing and in danger of turning turtle. The waves were 
dashing over the decks, and the frightened and mad- 
dened horses were plunging, neighing and fighting. 
The strongest and bravest men were sent to hold 
them by their heads, else the boats would surely have 
been swamped with the loss of all, or nearly all, on 
board. Sometimes they made headway, again were 
driven back; but, after being buffeted about for some 
hours and, proceeding slowly, had nearly reached the 
destined ]^ort, when, on account of the high wind, the 
3 



34 History of the [1861 

steamer could no longer manage the barge and was 
obliged to go for help. During the absence of the 
steamer the old craft ran aground several times, but 
was successively blown off by the violent storm, but 
at last it came in contact with a sandbank, which held 
it fast until found by the steamer, which returned, 
accompanied by another of much greater power. 
They fastened to the old transport and once more were 
headed toward Elizabethport, which was reached at 
3 a.m. Tuesday, 24th. As a regiment, it was in a more 
dangerous position than at any time of its four years 
of service. The hardship of that night journey, with 
the waves splashing over the men and freezing so 
that some had their hands frozen to the bits of the 
horses, and had to stand shivering for two or three 
hours, was felt later. Colds and pneumonia followed, 
and one of the finest built men of Company M, 
Thomas H. Baines, died of pneumonia soon after get- 
ting to York. Many never got over the effects of that 
night's experience. - At 4 a.m. the 24th, the regiment 
boarded the cars at the N. J. C. R. R. depot and was 
soon on its way over rivers, through deep mountain 
gorges, across beautiful plains and the Delaware 
River. Thence on the 25th into Pennsylvania, crossed 
the Lehigh River, caught a glimpse of the Blue Moun- 
tains away to the right, crossing the Susquehanna 
River, thence down its right bank for several miles, 
which afforded a grand view of that beautiful and 
majestic stream, winding around hills and through 
valleys, and reached York at 3 p.m. Dec. 25th, Christ- 
mas, having been thirty-five hours in traveling 250 
miles. One company was housed in the Ladies' Insti- 
tute; some went into schoolhouses, and the remainder 
of the regiment encamped on the fair grounds. 



1862 

JANUARY 1st, 18()2, New Year's Day.— The 
boys were treated to beer, each company 
receiving a keg. In the afternoon the regiment 
paraded through the streets of York, and in the even- 
ing attended a tea party — quite a treat, 

Jan. 3d.— Quite a heavy fall of snow. There were 
many rumors in camp about the regiment being dis- 
banded, or transferred to infantry, but the men posi- 
tively declined to serve as such. 

Jan. 31st. — The regiment moved into barracks and 
felt more at home. The ladies of York were very 
benevolent, having given the regiment over three 
thousand pies. During January the time was devoted 
to drills, inspections, guard duty, etc., and the regi- 
ment earned a reputation for discipline and orderly 
conduct seldom enjoyed by a regiment quartered in a 
city. 

Feb, 8th. — The regiment turned out to fight the fire 
of a burning house in town. 

The days during the month were devoted to various 
duties : to drills, sabre exercise, enjoying the new bar- 
racks, and in rejoicing over the fall of Fort Donelson 
and capture of Generals Buckner, Pillow and John- 
ston, and 15,000 men, and the city of Savannah and 
Fort Pulaski, with General Floyd and 5000 men. 
Eumors were still rife in camp about the regiment 
being disbanded. The government would not mount 
it, and it refused to go as infantry. General Stone- 
man, chief of cavalry, reported the Sixth New York 
Cavalry as an efficient and highly disciplined regi- 
ment. 



36 History of the [1862 

The more the men saw of their Colonel (Devin) the 
better they liked him. He was a man of great military 
skill; he possessed all the qualifications necessary to 
fit him for his position; he was very sociable, but his 
commands must be obeyed to the very letter — the men 
knew there were but few as well, and none better, 
drilled than he. 

In March the regiment was ordered to Perryville, 
Md., to relieve the Eleventh U. S. Infantry in the duty 
of guarding the large government depot at that point, 
as well as guarding and caring for thousands of sick 
horses and mules. At 9.30 a.m. on the 6th, the First 
Battalion decamped and took train for Perryville, the 
rest of the regiment being under orders to follow for 
same place. At 3 p.m. on the 7th, it formed line and 
marched to the depot, reaching there at five o'clock. 
Company I was detailed to put the horses on board 
and had quite a lively time of it. Started from York 
at 7 p.m. and arrived in Baltimore at 5 a.m. on the 
8th, the journey thus far being somewhat interesting, 
rushing along at a fearful rate, now slowly up grade, 
and again with great velocity on the descent, while 
upon one side, for several hundred feet in height, 
rises a perpendicular clitf, and a rapid and rocky 
descent upon the opposite ; now rushing through deep 
ravines and tunnels, again into the clear moonshine 
of a cloudless night; to the men the ride to Baltimore 
was exceedingly rough and dangerous. At nine 
o'clock formed line and marched to the depot, and at 
ten o'clock started on the way to Perryville, arriving 
there at 1.30 p.m., and crossed the mouth of the Sus- 
quehanna Eiver on a large boat, and encamped there, 
at the head of the Chesapeake Bay, opposite Havre- 
de-Grace, a beautiful and pleasantly situated camp. 



1862] Sixth Neiv York Cavalrp. 37 

Colonel Deviii made a visit to Washington, plead- 
ing for horses and orders to be sent to the front. The 
rumors continued that the regiment would be dis- 
banded, and the men remaining firm that they would 
not go as infantry. 

There was much sickness in camp on account of the 
bad water, heavy rains and high winds — the rain 
came through every crack in the barracks; the floor 
resembled a hog-pen; everything was all wet and 
splashed, uniforms and equipments dripping; every 
one was nearly dead and heartily sick of the dormant 
life. 

March 17tli. — Each company received ten horses, 
and all non-commissioned officers drew saddles. 

March 18th. — Colonel Devin made another trip to 
Washington to learn, if possible, about disposition of 
the regiment. 

March 23d. — Funeral of Dexter Still, Company I, 
wlio died on the 21st. At 2 p.m. services were held 
by reading a few verses from the Bible, and singing 
"No sorrow there." 

March 29th. — Company K received marching 
orders, and on the 31st Companies D, H and K left 
camp, mounted, for active service on the Peninsula, 
under the command of Major Floyd Clarkson, and 
accompanied by Asst. Surg. A. P. Clarke. On the 7th 
of April Captain Hannah's company (F) left camp 
to join the three companies on the Peninsula. This 
battalion (Third) accompanied Sumner's corps to 
the Peninsula, and was present at all the battles in 
which that corps bore so distinguished a part, and 
acted as the extreme rear guard of the army during 
the change of base to Harrison's Landing. One 
squadron of the l)attalion returned to Alexandria 



38 History of the [1862 

with the Army of the Potomac, and participated in 
the movements in front of Washington, in the Battle 
of Antietam, and in General Conch's corps at the 
Battle of Fredericksburg. The second squadron of 
the battalion was left at Yorktown, attached to Gen- 
eral Keyes' corps, and was charged with the duty of 
picketing and scouting the roads leading from that 
place to the enemy's position. In one expedition, 
under Major William P, Hall, into the enemy's coun- 
try, they destroyed a mill used by the rebels, and cap- 
tured a large amount of rebel property; and in a raid 
to the White House captured a large amount of con- 
traband goods. The amount of duty performed by 
the troops of this battalion was almost unprecedented, 
and their reputation for efficiency, courage and vigi- 
lance caused their services to be highly valued by the 
general officers to whose commands they were 
attached. General Sedgwick, in his report of the 
engagement near Fair Oak Station, on the Richmond 
& York R. R., May 31st and June 1st, says: "Captain 
Johnson, commanding a detached company (K) of 
the Sixth New York Cavalry, though not inunediately 
engaged, rendered valuable services in various ways." 

April 2d.^ — Colonel Devin returned to camp and the 
regiment had a dress parade, and a very cold one, 
during which the men almost froze. The parade was 
brief when the regiment passed in review. 

April 10th. — The monotony of camp life was 
relieved by the cheering news that Island No. 10 had 
fallen into our hands, as also the victory at Pittsburg 
Landing. 

April 27th. — Two flags were presented to the reg- 
iment by the Colonel, the chaplain delivering a brief 
discourse (which will be found on another page). 



1862] Sixth New York Cavalry. 39 

May (3tli. — There was mucli excitement in camp, the 
paymaster having pnt in an appearance. The eight 
companies, composing the First and Second Bat- 
talions of the regiment, remained at Perryville until 
May 11th, when they were ordered to Washington. 
At 2 p.m. on the 11th the}'^ boarded the train (thirty 
cars) and arrived in Baltimore at 6 p.m. and marched 
\\\) town to the "Soldiers' Belief Association" and 
had supper. They started from Baltimore at 10 
o'clock \).\\\. and reached Washington at 1 a.m. the 
12th, and bunked in the "Soldiers' Retreat" until after 
3 p.m., when they fell in line and marched for PIow- 
ard's Hill, which they reached at five o'clock, and 
pitched tents near the camp of Swain's cavalry 
(Scott's 900), two miles north of the Capitol. 

May 14th. — The regiment struck tents and marched 
to Capitol Hill (where now are fine rows of houses), 
three and one-half miles distant, and one mile east of 
the city, where it pitched tents, in the rain, and then 
went to the barracks of the Second Pennsylvania 
Cavalry and remained in their quarters until 2 p.m. 
the 15th, when it marched back to its tents. 

May 20tli. — The regiment received company 
wagons and team horses. 

May 22d. — Colonel Devin presented the regiment 
with a banner from the Corporation of the City of 
New York, with an appropriate and pointed speech 
(which will be found on another page). 

May 25th. — Great excitement on account of Gen- 
eral Banks' retreat; rebels a|:)proaching Harper's 
Ferry, the regiment receiving marching orders ; 
troops were on the move continuall}^; many regiments 
were being sent to re-enforce Banks. 



40 History of the [1862 

May 28tli. — The regiment had a dress parade, dur- 
ing which an order was read that the Sixth New York 
and Colonel Swain's cavalry (Scott's 900) had been 
assigned to General Sturgis' brigade. 

June 20tli. — At 5 p.m. an interesting ceremony took 
place in the cam]), the occasion being the presentation 
to Colonel Devin of a splendid sabre, purchased by 
the non-commissioned officers and privates of the reg- 
iment. The sabre was gotten up in the improved reg- 
ulation style, and was a very superior article. The 
scabbard was of very highly polished steel and richly 
chased, the devices being swords, battle axes and 
arrows bound together in bundles. At the rings, 
representations of oak leaves and twigs were twined 
around as an evidence of strength and permanency. 
The scabbard bore the following inscription: "Pre- 
sented to Col. Thomas C. Devin by the non-commis- 
sioned officers and privates of the Sixth New York Cav- 
alry, June, 1862." Accompanying the sabre were a 
scabbard for service, sword-belt, shoulder-strap, sash 
and spurs, and all enclosed in a splendid rosewood box 
lined with white satin. The presentation was made 
on behalf of the donors by Senator Ira Harris of New 
York, who said he presented the gift as a memorial 
of trust and confidence from soldiers to an accom- 
plished officer and leader; he was gratified to be the 
organ of presentation, and more so on account of the 
pleasant relations that existed between the Colonel 
and himself. On behalf of the soldiers of the regi- 
ment he then presented the sabre. He said he knew 
that in the Colonel's hands it would never come to dis- 
honor, and when the opportunity occurred, he knew it 
would be unsheathed in the cause of his country; and 
when that hour came, recollection of this hour would 



1862] Sixth New York Cavalry. 41 

nerve the hand to strike heavier 1)1 ows for the cause 
of freedom, and when peace was restored, he hoped it 
would be returned unstained by touch of traitor's 
liand. Colonel Devin replied that he had no words 
to ex])ress his thanks for the testimonial — he knew 
not why he deserved it; all he had ever done was done 
in the execution of a duty, and he never had a thought 
of doing aught else ; he had done that duty to the best 
of his ability in studying the comfort of his men and 
])roperly disciplining them — he was proud of his regi- 
ment ; they were not yet all that he would wish a cav- 
alry to be, but they had judiciously improved all their 
opportunities, and he was satisfied with them; they 
had been carefully taught to take care of themselves 
and to injure their enemies. He trusted they as a 
regiment would never be ashamed of their Colonel, 
and he pledged himself that his sabre would ever be 
ready to leap from its scabbard in the cause of his 
country, and the regiment would never be ashamed to 
follow his lead. 

After the address had been concluded, the several 
companies filed by in order and took a look at the sabre. 
The regiment was then formed, and passed in review 
before Senator Harris. 

Previous to the presentation ceremonies the regi- 
ment was thoroughly drilled in the presence of Gen- 
eral Havelock, C-olonel DeForest of the Fifth New 
York Cavalry and Colonel Price of the Second Penn- 
sylvania Cavalry, and a number of ladies and civil- 
ians. The entire ceremony was a very entertaining 
one, and was an evidence of good feeling between 
officers and men. The Marine Band was present and 
furnished lively and stirring music at intervals. The 
committee on i)art of the donors were Sergeant-major 



42 History of the [1862 

H. M. Smith, First Sergeant A, Z. Boyd, Sergeant 
Richard B. Denker and Private G. W. Hope. 

June 24th. — Company G presented its Captain 
(Sheldon) with a sabre. 

June 28th. — Eeveille at 3 a.m. At six o'clock the 
regiment decamped from Capitol Hill, crossed the 
Long Bridge over the Potomac (for the first time) and 
reached the sacred soil at 6.30, and arrived at and 
went into camp near Cloud's Mills at eleven o'clock — 
camp below Fort Worth, and reported by orders to 
General Sturgis. The regiment was assigned to the 
brigade of Gen. John Cook, and ordered to be 
mounted. 

July 1st. — A detail of seventy-two men was made 
from the regiment and sent to Washington to bring 
216 liorses to camp; the horses became frightened by 
a train of cars, and stampeded, injuring many of both 
men and horses. 

July 2d. — The badly injured men were brought to 
camp in ambulances. 

July 5th. — ]\[ore liorses were received. 

July 6th. — Saddles, bridles, revolvers, etc., were 
received and distributed. 

July 7th. — The regiment moved to the old camp of 
the Sixty-ninth New York Volunteers. 

Under date of July 8th, Thomas M. Wells, bugler 
of Company I, wrote in his diary, "My horse was 
assigned me — a neat little gray pony, in good order, 
smart, and just the one for a bugler." (The writer 
rode the same horse during the late summer and early 
fall campaigns of 1863. How well I remember, after 
a lapse of nearly half a century, the chunky little 
gray horse that carried me so well and so safely 
while acting, with McAfee and Goetz, as field orderly 
or courier for Gen. John Buford.) 



1862] Sixth New York Cavalry. 43 

July lOtli.— The Sixth and Ninth New York Cav- 
alry, abont 200 men in all, formed a brigade picket 
guard. 

July 11th. — The regiment was all mounted, and had 
its first regimental mounted drill and mounted guard. 

July 23d. — The regiment was ordered by General 
Pope, then commanding the Department of Virginia, 
to report to General McDowell at Warrenton, and 
was employed in observing the country south of the 
Eappahannock Eiver during the campaign, and in 
covering the evacuation of Fredericksburg and Aquia 
Creek. 

July 24th. — The regiment struck tents at noon and 
left camp at five o'clock and marched to Fairfax 
C. H., and bivouacked in a meadow. 

July 25tli. — Resumed the march at sunrise, passing 
the battle-ground of Bull Run, and many breastworks 
thrown up by the rebels, as well as the previous win- 
ter's camp-ground of Beauregard's army. At noon 
stopped at the former headquarters of General Beau- 
regard, thence on through Centreville, and bivouacked 
at sunset near Bucktown. 

July 26th. — Resumed the march and reached War- 
renton at 8.30 a.m., and encamped about half a mile 
beyond the town, in a meadow. 

July 27th. — Moved about a mile farther south and 
encamped in a grove. 

July 28th. — Left Warrenton at noon, marched 
about ten miles, and at night picketed in a large 
meadow. 

July 29th. — Marched to Rappahannock Station and 
bivouacked for the night. 

July 30tli. — Left the station at sunrise and at 3 p.m. 
reached Ellis' Ford on the Rappahannock River, 



44 History of the [1862 

twenty-five miles from Fredericlvsburg, and tliat dis- 
tance in advance of the Union lines. The regiment 
was ordered to remain at the ford, and report to Gren- 
eral King at Fredericksburg, by whom it was 
assigned the duty of watching and picketing the fords 
of the Rappahannock and Eapidan Rivers, from Rap- 
pahannock Station to United States Ford at the con- 
fluence of the two rivers, and to observe the country 
in front of the Rapidan, and in the direction of 
Orange Court-house and Culpeper, covering a line of 
over sixty miles. 

July 31st. — The regiment went on a scout. 

Aug. 1st. — Scouting parties were sent out in search 
of forage. 

Aug. 4th. — Regiment still on picket. 

Aug. 5tli. — Four companies of the regiment were 
sent out on a scout. Starting about 3 a.m. they 
crossed the Rapidan River and going toward Orange 
C H. went to within ten miles of Jackson's army. 
The enemy had just fallen back. Traveled about 
sixty miles and returned to camp at dark. 

This letter speaks for itself: 

General Pope's Headquarters, 
Near Sperrysville, Aug'. 6th, 1862, 8 a.m. 
Major-general Halleck: 

I desire to move General King's division from Fredericks- 
burg to Culpeper tomorrow morning by the plank road be- 
tween those places which crosses the Rapidan at Germauna 
Mills. The cavalry of that division is the very best I have; 
in fact the only good cavalry in this army. Cannot this 
cavalry at least be replaced by one of the regiments now in 
"Washington doing police duty, so that King's cavalry can 
march with him? 

(Signed) John Pope, 

Major-general. 



1862] Sixth New York Cavalry. 45 

Aug'. lOtli. — Two brigades (iiifanti\y), coinmaiided 
by Generals Hatch and Gibbons of General King's 
division, crossed the Kappahannock River at El- 
lis' Ford, and proceeded in the direction of Cnl- 
peper. 

''It was a beantifnl Sabbath; hot and bright the 
sun's rays met the earth. But there was a vast dif- 
ference in the Sabbath there to that of the Sabbath of 
peace. There seemed to be nothing cheerful to the 
soul of the soldier at the appearance of God's holy 
day. There was no church-pealing bell, informing 
the people of the time of divine service, inviting them 
by its melodious vibrations floating through the 
morning zephyrs to prepare to appear at God's temple. 
Instead of the family carriages wending their way to 
and from the sanctuary, the eye met the long train of 
army wagons and ambulances, and regiments of foot 
and. horse, bending their steps to the field of destruc- 
tion and tumult. Thus it is with calamitous war — 
desolation and dismay mark its track; soon, full 
soon, the battle rages in all its fury; yonder artillery 
thunders its voice across the field, telling death and 
pain to its opi)Osers; its fiery, deadly missiles fly, 
lightning-like, above and through solid bodies of 
men, severing the brittle thread of life in many a 
brave heart — then rapid discharge of musketry, and 
furious rush of cavalry follows, with flashing sabres 
and foaming steeds." 

Aug. 14th. — Company M (Captain Van Buren) was 
detailed for duty about ten miles distant toward Cul- 
peper. In the afternoon he started from camp to 
learn the whereabouts of a guerrilla band that in- 
fested that part of the country. Getting tidings of 
them at a house a few miles distant, he left a corporal 



46 History/ of the [1862 

and three men on guard, started in pursuit, when a 
body of the band rushed from a clump of woods, 
attacked the guard, killing one man and severely 
wounding the others, whom they left for dead, thus 
giving to Company M the distinction (or sorrow) of 
having lost the first man from disease (Thomas H. 
Baines at York, Penn.) and the first one killed in 
action. Private Eli B. Fairchild was killed and Cor- 
poral Alexander Frier was wounded. 

Aug. 17th. — Quartermaster-sergeant Joseph P. 
Rood, with Sergt. Martin Quick and Privates James 
Young, George Seymour, James Cunningham and 
Ozias Anthony, were out foraging and Sergeant Rood 
was wounded in the shoulder by a shot from a small 
band of guerrillas. The party chased the guerrillas 
across the Rapidan River and they escaped. 

Aug. 18th. — General Pope crossed the Rappahan- 
nock River in retreat, and the regiment (Sixth New 
York) was ordered to report to the commanding gen- 
eral at Falmouth, who ordered it to remain at the 
fords and hold them as long as practicable. Company 
C went out on a scout, during which one of the men 
was accidentally shot and killed. 

Aug. 19th. — The regiment was isolated on picket, 
the nearest trooi)s being twenty miles in one direction 
(Fredericksburg) and twenty miles in the other 
(Warrenton). 

Aug. 20th. — Company I was ordered on picket, and 
when about ready to cross the river the pickets were 
seen coming into camp, with the cry "the rebels are 
coming." (Companies A and B, picketing the Cul- 
peper road, and Company M at Ely's Ford on the 
Rapidan, had been attacked by a large force of 
Stuart's cavalry.) "To horse" was sounded, and in 



1862] Sixth New York Cavalry. 47 

a few minutes the regiment was across the stream to 
meet the foe ; rode a mile or two to the edge of the 
woods, and were warmly received by the enemy in the 
woods. Returned to camp without the loss of a man, 
and found General Stevens' division in line of battle. 
The enemy did not attempt to cross the river. One 
of the men (I regret I could not learn his name and 
company) killed a rebel sergeant who was carrying a 
dispatch to General Lee. Sergt. John Muldoon and 
three privates of Company I were out scouting in the 
vicinity of Kelly's Ford, and were attacked by a supe- 
rior force of the enemy, who killed one man (Elisha 
P. Wells, who was hit by five bullets) and took Ser- 
geant ]\Iuldoon and Privates John E. Grinnell and 
John Palmer prisoners. After Muldoon had crossed 
the river, he left Palmer on picket, and had not pro- 
ceeded far when he was fired on by the enemy. "Wells 
was killed and Muldoon and Grinnell taken prisoners. 
When Palmer heard the shots, he charged down the 
road alone to their assistance. AVhen the rebels saw 
him coming, they opened ranks and let him pass 
through, then closed ranks and ordered him to sur- 
render, which he did. Muldoon 's after-description 
of Palmer's appearance as he came charging down 
the road, coatless and hatless, with his hair standing 
on end, was amusing. (Palmer was killed in the 
charge at Brandy Station Oct. 11th, 1863.) A detail 
went for the body of Wells, and at 11 p.m., by the 
light of glimmering candles, it was buried in the 
woods near the camp. 

Aug. 21st. — The jnckets were again driven in; the 
horses were saddled all day, waiting for the word 
''go." At midnight the pickets were again fired 
upon, the order "to horse" was given, and through 



48 Histoi-y of the [1862 

midnigiit darkness the regiment was soon posted 
beliind the batterj^ on the hill. 

Aug. 22d. — Early in the morning heavy cannonad- 
ing was heard in the direction of Rappahannock Sta- 
tion. The battle raged all day. At 6 p.m. a part of 
Porter's division was sent to defend the ford against 
Jackson's army. A large part of the Army of the 
Potomac moving to the same point, the region of the 
Eappahannock became the scene of battles, victories 
and reimlses. There was some fighting at Kelly's 
Ford, seven miles distant, the enemy attempting to 
cross, but was beaten back with much loss. 

Aug. 23d. — The fighting continued at Warrenton, 
Pope driving the enemy. General Porter telegraphed 
(leneral Burnside, "The Sixth New York Cavalry 
occupies Barnett's and opposite bank. I think they 
can hold and watch that point with' the addition of a 
Dutch battery," 

Aug. 26th. — A battery of U. S. artillery arrived 
and was planted on the hill, near the river, ready to 
receive the enemy. Firing continued in the direction 
of Warrenton. Company C was detailed as escort 
for General , 

Aug. 27tli. — The troops all moved away toward 
Warrenton. 

Aug. 28th. — Company C returned to the regiment 
from Warrenton Junction. The scene of war had 
changed toward Manassas, where the rebel army 
gave our forces battle. 

Falmouth, Va., Aug'. 28th, 1862. 
General Halleck, general-in-chief : 

The following dispatch was received from Barnett's Ford 
at 2.40 a.m. 

(Signed) Jno. G. Parke. 



1862] Sixth New York Cavalry, 49 

General J. G. Parke : 

Last niiiht I sent a scout on Cnlpeper road, between the 
Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers. They report, on infor- 
mation from the neighborhood, a regiment of cavalry 
encamped two miles beyond the junction of Culpeper road 
with Germanna and Kelly's Ford roads; also a large force 
of all arms at Stevensburg. My force has nearly all been 
drawn from here by the columns that have passed and I have 
barely enough to watch the ford, but will do all I can to 
obtain information. I believe the information brought by the 
scouting party to be correct, as it was furnished by different 
parties. If you can send me some more cavalry I will be able 
to ascertain more. 

(Signed) Thos. C. Devin, 

Col. Sixth New York Cavalry. 

P. S. — One of my battalions is Avith General Sumner. 

Falmouth, Va., Aug. 28th, 1862, 5.80 a.m. 
Major-general Halleck : 

The following dispatch has just been received. 

(Signed) A. E. Burnside, 

Major-general. 

Barnett's Ford, Aug. 27th,- 1862, 10.45 p.m. 
General Burnside: 

Immediately after sending my last dispatch, I ordered the 
scouts at Kelly's Ford, seven miles distant, to proceed to 
Rappahannock Station and obtain reliable information. They 
have just returned, and report no enemy and the place 
deserted. The scouts I ordered across the river, in compli- 
ance with General Parke's dispatch, have also returned, and 
report no enemy for several miles toward Brandy Station. 
I have now scouts across the river, seven miles on Culpeper 
road. I have but forts'-tAvo men in camp: the rest all on 
duty. 

(Sig-ned) Devin, 

Colonel. 
4 



50 History of the [1862 

Falmouth, Va., Aug. 28th, 1862. 
Major-general Halleck, general-in-chief : 

The following dispatch just received from Colonel Devin. 
I await a reply from you before answering him. 

(Signed) A. E. Burnside, 

Major-general. 

Barnett's Ford, 4.15 p.m. 

GeNER.YL PxVRKE: 

All is quiet at the fords at this date. Are any more troops 
to move up from Fredericksburg to-night? Are we to con- 
tinue to watch all fords from Rappahannock east^vard and 
have to look for any enemy by the roads leading from the 
direction of Manassas to these fords? There is no force at 
my ford now that can hold it. My reasons for asking are 
that some of my men returned from General Pope's army 
and had a fight yesterday ; and if the enemy retreated, as re- 
ported, will they not come this way? 

(Signed) Thos. C. Devin, 

Colonel. 

Barnett's Ford, Aug. 28th, 1862, 9.00 a.m. 
General Burnside: 

At 6 o'clock last evening I dispatched Lieutenant Easton 
with six men with instructions to cross the river here and 
proceed as far as possible on the Culpeper road, and then 
conceal himself, for the purpose of watching movements of the 
enemy during the night. He reports on his return the same 
force of cavalry camped about twelve miles from here, and 
the forces of all arms still at Stevensburg. The pickets of 
the enemy were at the intersection of Kelly's and Germanna 
Ford road with the Culpeper road. Their scouts patrol the 
road to within a mile of my pickets across the river, distant 
from here about two miles. Everything quiet this morning 
at Kelly's. 

(Signed) Thos. C. Devin, 

Colonel Commanding Sixth N. Y. Cavalry. 



[1862 Sixth New York Cavcdry. 51 

Falmouth, Va., Aug. 29th, 1862, 1 p.m. 
]\Iajor-general H. W. Halleck, general-in-chief , and Major- 
general Geo. B. JMcClellan, Alexandria : 
The following is just received from advance pickets. 
(Signed) A. E. Burnside, 

Major-general. 

Barnett's Ford, 10 a.m. 
I sent party out last night four miles on railroad from 
Kappahannock toward Brandy Station. No force to be seen 
there. Captain IMcIntyre this morning picketed the road 
toAvard Morgansburg (?), with instructions to scout in that 
direction. Hea\y firing this morning, apparently in the 
direction of Brentsville, and being at this hour toward Wiar- 
reuton. AYe will keep you informed. 

(Signed) Thos. C. Devin, 

Colonel. 

Washington, D. C, Aug. 29th, 1862, 2.30 p.m. 
]\Iajor-general Burnside, Falmouth, Va. : 

Any further news? Does Colonel Devin mean that sound 
of firing Avas heard in direction of Warrenton, as stated, or in 
direction of Warrenton Junction? 

(Signed) A. Lincoln. 

Aug. 29tli. — The regiment was still on picket. At 
5 p.m. it was ordered to camp, having received 
orders to leave for another point. Arrived at camp 
at sunset and found the place evacuated. Were 
ordered by the Colonel to remain on this side of the 
river all night, the officer of the guard posting the 
necessary pickets. 

Aug. 30th. — The regiment was relieved in the 
morning from picket and retired to the reserve camp. 
At night formed in line of battle, dismounted, and 
stood to horse all night, sleeping as stood, and enjoy- 
mg a heavy rain-storm. Though daily threatened by 



52 Ilistory of the [1862 

the enemy, the regiment continned to hold the fords 
until the 31st, during which time the country in front, 
right and rear was occupied by the enemy in force, 
the regiment having suffered the trifling loss, in 
various skirmishes, of two men killed, three wounded 
and three captured, making a total of eight. On that 
date, having been reinforced by two squadrons of 
cavalry and one section of Gibson's battery, the com- 
mand was ordered to retire on Falmouth, then just 
vacated, and after holding that place until the destruc- 
tion of the bridges was completed, to march to Staf- 
ford C H. on General Burnside's left flank, and 
hold that point during the embarkation from Aquia 
Creek. When Aquia Creek was evacuated, the com- 
mand marched to that place and, embarking on trans- 
ports, proceeded to Washington. 

On the march of the 31st from camp at Telegraph 
Station to Fredericksburg, the regiment arrived just 
in time to witness some excitement. It reached Fal- 
mouth just as the bakery, with all its contents, flour and 
bread, was being committed to the flames. On arriv- 
ing at Fredericksburg, it found the flames had caught 
the railroad depot and bridge, and other public build- 
ings, which were being destroyed by Burnside as he 
was about to evacuate. The furious flames and the 
bursting powder-kegs playing destruction on the un- 
destroyed particles, sounding like the bursting of 
bombshells, was somewhat exciting and a scene of 
grandeur. Left Fredericksburg at 10 p.m. and 
marched to Stafford C. H., distant ten miles, arriv- 
ing about 2 a.m. Sept. 1st. The fighting of the cam- 
paign was now near Washington. 

Sept. 4th. — Saddled up at noon and fell in line and 
remained so until night, when the command marched 



[1862 Sixth New York Cavalnj. , 53 

to Aquia Creek, reaching there at nine o'clock, and 
the embarkation of the regiment was completed by 
midnight, at which time the two steamers started for 
Washington. 

Sept. 5th. — Arrived in Washington about daylight 
and marched to Meridian Hill and encamped. 

Sept. 6th. — The regiment was armed with carbines. 

Sept. 7th. — The regiment was ordered to take the 
advance of General Burnside's column through Mary- 
land. Left camp at 2 p.m. and twenty-four hours 
after occupied Brookville, and picketed the B. & O. 
E. E. It led the advance of Burnside's column into 
Frederick, entering the city from the left, while Gen- 
eral Eeno was forcing the front. It marched with 
General Burnside to South Mountain, and supported 
Gibbon's brigade and C^ampbell's battery in the 
attack on the middle pass on the turnpike. 

Again it led the advance of Burnside's column 
across the mountains, supported by Gibson's Light Bat- 
tery C, Third Artillery, capturing over one hundred 
prisoners, and reaching the battlefield of Antietam at 
1 p.m. on Monday, the 15th, receiving the fire of the 
enemy's batteries (then in position and just engaging 
Hooker's advance). The regiment was placed under 
cover and detachments sent out on the front and left to 
reconnoitre the enemy's position. That night Colonel 
Devin received orders to ascertain before daybreak 
whether the enemy still remained in position in front, 
and a detachment crossed the bridge over the Antie- 
tam at 3 a.m., and after advancing half a mile came 
upon the enemy's infantry in force, when it retired in 
good order, without loss. 

The position of the enemy's artillery not having 
been ascertained at 8 a.m.. Colonel Devin crossed the 



54 History of the [1862 

bridge with Troops I and M, and deploying one 
platoon to tlie front as skirmishers, advanced toward 
Sharpsburg and succeeded in nnmasking the enemy's 
batteries in the cornfield on the left, and behind the 
ridge on the right of the turnpike. 

The squadron retired in perfect order, under the 
fire of the batteries, without the loss of a man, Cap- 
tain Van Buren of Troop M having his horse shot 
under him. The regiment was again thrown out on 
the left, and the next day, during the battle of the 
17th, five companies, under Major Carwardine, were 
ordered to the mouth of Antietam Creek, where they 
succeeded in holding in check 1000 rebel cavalry then 
threatening our flank, capturing a major and one pri- 
vate of Stuart's cavalry with their horses. 

Subsequent to the Battle of Antietam, the regiment 
marched to Pleasant Valley, and encamped with the 
Army of the Potomac, taking part in the unsuccessful 
chase after Stuart on the occasion of his raid into 
Maryland. 

To go back and give the above campaign more in 
detail : — 

Sept. 7th. — About sixty of the regiment remained 
behind to have the horses shod. 

Sept. 8th. — Reveille at 4 a.m. At 4.30 started to 
the blacksmith shop at the lower part of the city; 
shoeing of 150 horses completed by 10 a.m. ; returned 
to camp, and at five o 'clock marched en route to Mary- 
land, fifteen miles distant, where they arrived at 11 
p.m., and bivouacked. General McClellan was in 
command of the arm3^ 

Sept. 9th. — The detachment left camp for Brook- 
ville, where it found the regiment. At 1 p.m. left 
Brookville and marched to Goshen, driving in the 
rebel pickets near Frederick. 



18()l2] Sixth New York Cavalry. 55 

Brookville, Md., Sept. 9, 1862, 7 p.m. 

Major-general H. W. Halleck, general-in-chief, and Gen- 
eral McClellan : 
The following dispatches were received while on the march 
to-day. 

(Signed) A. E. Burnside, 

Major-general. 

Headquarters Advance Reserve, 
Lisbon Road Junc, Six jMiles South op Cooksville, 

Sept. 9th, 1862, 7 a.m. 
Col. T. C. Devin. 

Sir: Left picket at Cooksville, with whom General Wool's 
cavalry commnnicated last night at 9.30 o'clock, to ascertain 
whether General Burnside's advance Avere at Cooksville. 
They consisted of a company of the First Pennsylvania. 
Twelve men were seen at Poplar Springs this morning. It is 
reported an advance of 200 will be made to Cooksville this 
morning. Communicated with Lieutenant Patterson this 
morning. So far all quiet. Please send rations and forage. 
Have thought it expedient to stop the passing of citizens to 
our rear and return this morning. Surrounded with rebels 
•in disguise. AVe trust no one will endeavor to reconnoitre 
to Lisbon this afternoon. 

(Signed) Respectfully, W. E. Beardsley, 

Captain Troop E. 
Respectfully forwarded. 

(Signed) Thos. C. Devin, 

Colonel. 

Trinity, Md., Sept. 9th, 1862. 
Colonel Devin : 

Sir: I sent a patrol party, under command of Sergeant 
Real, last evening about six o'clock. They patrolled the road 
between this place and Damascus, and arrived at said place 



56 History of the [1862 

at eleven o'clock. They learned that the rebels had a force 
at Kempto^^^l, and their pickets were within two miles of 
Damascus. They have pickets on the railroad and pike to 
the right of Damascus. The rebels are in force at Woodbine, 
on the turnpike, at that place. General Wool's pickets killed 
three rebel pickets night before last. They are also at Clarks- 
burg, on the Georgetown road, to the left of Trinity. There 
is said to be a large force at Harristown (Hyattstown), six 
miles to the left of Damascus. There is a man at Trinity 
who has been in the habit of visiting the rebels ever since 
they came into that section of country. I think he had better 
be sent to headquarters. I sent out a patrol party this morn- 
ing at three o'clock to scout the road to Damascus. They have 
not yet returned. 

Very respectfully, 
(Signed) F. A. Patterson, 

1st Lieut. Commanding Troop. 

Brookville, Md., Sept. 9th. 1862. 8 a.m. 
]\Iajor-general Burnside : 

All quiet as yet this morning. J\ly pickets are in reserve at 
Triadelphia and Unity, and scout the country around Cooks- 
ville and the turnpike. The enemy is said to have pickets 
at Lisbon. Captain Beardsley stopped a citizen with a pass 
dated at Frederick yesterday and signed by Brigadier-gen- 
eral Lee. It is reported that the enemy is making for EUi- 
cott's ]\Iill, and that they are receiving reinforcements from 
Maryland. I give this merely as reports current among citi- 
zens about Cooksville. I will send another dispatch as soon 
as I hear from the front. 

(Signed) Thos. C. Devin, 

Colonel Commanding Cavalry. 

Brookville. Sept. 9th, 1862. 
General Burnside : 

I had already sent you a dispatch before the arrival of 
your message. All is quiet as yet. My pickets are in .reserve 



1862] Sixth New York Cavalry. 57 

six miles in front of this place, and scout up to Cooksvilie, 
and are working the pike at that place. As far as I can 
learn, all is quiet this side of the railroad, on which the enemy 
have pickets. My scouts were yesterday to the northeast and 
west of Cooksvilie for some miles, but met none of the enemy. 
We are also watching: the front to Lisbon, where the enemy 
is said to have pickets. I am expecting a report from the 
front every minute, which I will send as soon as received. 

Respectfully, 
(Signed) Thos. C. Devin, 

Colonel. 
P. S. — Have just received report from extreme front. Up 
to 3 p.m. all quiet. Scouted to Lisbon ^and Damascus last 
night Xo enemy there. We have pickets now on National 
road. 

(Signed) Thos. C. Devin. 

Colonel. 

Goshen. Md., Sept. 9th, 1862, 8 p.m. 

]\L\.JOR-GENERAL BURNSIDE : 

Lieutenant Easton of this regiment left camp at 10 a.m. 
to-day with four men, to obtain information in the neighbor- 
hood of Damascus. He has just returned, and reports having 
met and driven in their pickets two and a half miles from 
Hyattstown, on the road to Damascus. He wounded one of 
their men and chased the others into the reserve at the foot of 
the hill leading to Hyattstown. The i*eserve seemed to number 
about a company. The people there represented the enemy 
to be in force, with cavalry at Eidgeville, on the National 
road, and that their pickets are two miles this side of that 
place, on the road from Damascus. If such is the case, Cap- 
tain Cutts and Captain Van Buren, who went out on that 
road at 1 p.m., will meet them. The last I heard from Cap- 
tain Cutts, he was at Damascus, and was al)out starting for 
Ridgeville. I send another troop to Damascus to cover him. 
Very respectfully, 
(Signed) Thos. C. Devin, 

Colonel Sixth New York Cavalry. 



58 History of the [1862 

Sept. lOtli, — Jackson was reported to be near Fred- 
erick with a force of 30,000. 

CooKSviLLE, Sept. 11th, 1862, 10.80 a.m. 
Major-general Hooker, Commanding Corps. 

General : 

Captain Beardsley, Sixth New York Cavalry^, who is 
posted here, states that John S. Doll, proprietor of the Entaw 
House, Baltimore, passed through this place on his way from 
Frederick to Baltimore, at 1 o'clock last night. He (Doll) 
states that the main force of the enemy left Frederick yester- 
day morning for Harrisburg, and that at 1 o'clock yesterday 
but one division was left at Frederick and that it was pre- 
paring to march. The entire numbers 160,000. Jackson has 
the advance. He met Lee's and Stuart's cavalry at New- 
market, about 1000 men. He also met a squadron about one 
mile this side of Newmarket, returning to that place. From 
information obtained, it is believed that this squadron had 
been to Hood's ^Mills, two miles from here, on the railroad. 
We have now a picket at Hood's Mills, and one company of 
Sixth New York has gone this morning to Ridgeville by this 
pike. Nothing has been heard of the enemy here this side 
of Nev\Tnarket since yesterday. Captain Beardsley deems 
the information of IMr. Doll reliable. He visited Frederick 
to attend to his family, and was detained at Frederick sev- 
eral days. The railroad bridge over the ^Monocacy is de- 
stroyed. The enemy took the road up the Cumlierland Valley. 
Very respectfully, 
(Signed) D. C. Houston, 

Major of Engineers. 

Sept. 12tli. — Marched from Damascus to Frederick, 
distant twenty miles, arriving there at 5 p.m. The 
last of the enemy was just evaenating, and we gave 
them a few parting shots as mementoes on the jour- 
ney of the Union and our coming. The rebels, about 



1862] Sixth New York Cavalri/. 59 

600 strong, liad made a stand at the entrance of tlie 
town, and gave battle to our advance guard — three 
companies of cavalry; they were too numerous for us 
to conquer, but were forced to run as our artillery 
saluted them. We lost a few men and horses. 

It was a glorious day for Frederick City — it was 
rescued from the hands of enemies, and the people 
rejoiced. For a week the city had been held by the 
Confederates, who had committed all manner of dep- 
redations, robbing the Union citizens of whatever 
they needed, and pilfering the stores of clothing of all 
kinds. The Sixth New York was about the first cav- 
alry troops to enter the town, and deafening cheers 
for the Union and Stars and Stripes met our ears. 
The people seemed frantic with joy; they could 
scarcely manifest their principle of loyalty to a satis- 
factory degree. Every window and corner was deco- 
rated with the Union banner, and in the hands of the 
fair sex, old and young, waved handkerchiefs and 
flags as a token of their appreciation of our presence ; 
all was a perfect jubilee. As General Burnside 
rode through the town, cheer upon cheer for him was 
given. Such patriotic demonstrations as were mani- 
fested would have surprised "Stonewall" had he 
been j^ermitted to see it; he would have known that 
"secesh" principles were meagre in and about the 
town. "We marched through the principal street and 
encamped just north of the city. 

Sept. 13th. — Late in the afternoon marched a mile 
northward and encamped. Company I being detailed 
to guard General Burnside 's headquarters for the 
night. 



60 Historij of the [1862 

BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 

Sept. 14th. — Advanced and passed tlirongii Middle- 
town about noon, the enemy having just retreated, 
after burning the bridge and some houses. At 2 p.m. 
the roaring of cannon commenced just ahead — the 
rebels had made a stand on Middletown Hill, and 
were responding quite briskly to our fire. At 4 p.m. 
the firing increased on both sides, and shells were 
bursting over our heads, loudly proclaiming death 
and destruction to whatever intercepted their course 
— how madly they flew through the air with an inde- 
scribable sound. We were near South Mountain; the 
regiment had moved up close to the line of battle, had 
halted in the road, were shelled by a rebel battery, 
had been ordered to charge the battery, but the order 
had been countermanded. Now the contest raged 
fiercely, the woods seemed ablaze, the cannon belching 
forth missiles of death, attended with a bright, broad 
flame ; this, added to that of the smaller arms, was an 
interesting and impressive scene. To the left, loud 
cheering was heard. Our men were making a bayonet 
charge, the rebels were retreating ; they were defeated 
and firing ceased at 10 p.m. W. H. Bogart of Com- 
pany A was wounded in left thigh while supporting a 
battery, but did not leave the field. 

"Thus terminated a bloody and obstinate contest. 
From mid-day until dark the waves of battle ebbed 
and flowed, IVIen wrestled with each other in lines of 
regiments, brigades and divisions, while regiment, 
brigade and division faded away under a terrible fire, 
leaving long lines of dead to mark where stood the 
living. Fields of corn were trampled into shreds, for- 
ests were battered and scathed, huge limbs sent crash- 



1861^] Sixth New York Cavalry. 61 

ing to tlie earth, rent by shell or round shot. Grape 
and canister mingled their hissing screams in this liell- 
ing carnival, yet within all this, and tlirough it all, the 
patriots of the North wrestled with hearts strong and 
nerve unshaken — wrestled with the rebel liordes that 
thronged and pressed upon them as to destruction, 
never yielding, though sometimes halting to gather 
up their strength, then with one mighty bound throw- 
ing themselves upon their foes to drive them into 
their protecting forest beyond. We slei^t upon tliQ 
bloody field of our victory." 

Sept. 15tli. — Commenced our march in ])ursuit of 
the enemy. Crossed the left of the battlefield at 11 
a.m. and — comrades will pardon me if I omit a 
descri]^tion of the scene that presented itself to view; 
to attempt to do so would be futile ; it is be^^ond the 
X:»ower of my pen, and would only be drawing a pic- 
ture that it is just as well our children should not look 
ux^on. That the sacrifice in lives was great, history 
has already told. Among the noble ones who fell was 
the gallant Major-general Eeno, who was shot 
through the breast by a bullet while commanding his 
division. The enemy fell back to Sharpsburg, near 
the Potomac River, where he made a stand. 



BATTLE OF SHARPSBURG TURNPIKE. 

Sept. 16th. — Cannonading commenced at noon. 
The enemy threw i;aany shells around and among us, 
killing a few men and horses; the air was filled with 
the whizzing of bombs ; many of the enemy came in 
our lines "sick of the rebel army," they said. This 
was the third day's fight; firing ceased at dark. 



62 Histortj of the [1862 

BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 

Sept. ITtli. — Fourth day's fighting. It was reported 
that General McClellan had given the rebel generals 
two hours in which to surrender, but that they had 
declined to accept the proposal. Firing began at 
7 a.m. and at ten o'clock the battle raged in all its 
fury. The din of musketry, the roar of artillery, was 
one continual thundering — the shells were falling so 
thickly and rapidly among us we were compelled to 
change our position. The front of the battle line was 
about five miles in length; General McClellan, in per- 
son, commanded the right wing. General Burnside the 
left, and General Sumner (I believe) the centre. 

On the left the battle raged fiercely all day, with 
heavy cannonading, rapid volleys of musketry and 
charging of bayonets. 

In the afternoon four companies of the Sixth New 
York were sent on a reconnoitring expedition, in 
which they captured some of Ashby's cavalry. Can- 
nonading was kept up all night. The fight was a 
fierce and hotly contested one. A large piece of 
woods in which the rebels were concealed was a per- 
fect sheet of fire from the artillery and musketry. 
During the battle a detail was made from I and M 
squadron to cross the Stone bridge and learn if any 
of the enemy was near the old Stone house. There 
ivere plenty of them there. Thomas Leach of Troop 
M was wounded in the slight skirmish that took place. 

Sept. 18tli. — All was quiet; the guns were still 
under flag of truce from the enemy, the men were 
busy burying the dead; it was the sacred rite, the last 
act of comradeship, by both the "Grey" and the 
"Blue," that could be shown to the fallen soldier. 



1862] Sixth New York Cavalry. 63 

The battle had been fought and won, the enemy had 
been driven from his position and left us in posses- 
sion, but at what a cost in life and limb ! 

At the Battle of Middletown Heights or South 
Mountain the Union loss was 4-43 killed, 1806 
wounded, 76 missing, making a total of 2325. 

At the Battle of Hagerstown Heights or Antietam 
the Union loss was 2010 killed, 91:16 wounded, 1013 
missing, making a total of 12,469 ; making a total loss 
in the two battles of 14,794. 

The Confederate loss in the two battles was a total 
of 25,542. 

[In explanation of my departure from the usual cus- 
tom of writing a regimental history, and giving an 
account of the movements of the army during this 
campaign, instead of confining myself to those of the 
Sixth New York Cavalry, I would say to the reader 
that the regiment, being at that time attached to Gen- 
eral Burnside's corps, as escort and advance guard, 
and being broken up in squadrons, companies and 
squads on special duty, was seldom anywhere as a 
regiment, but in that detached shape was practically 
all over the field, thus making this short but general 
account necessary in order to record the services ren- 
dered by it.] 

On the night of the 18th the regiment was stationed 
at Antietam Creek, picketing that part of the line. 

To avoid confusion to future readers, it might be 
well to state here that the battle above described was 
called "Antietam" by the Federal authorities, and 
"Sharpsburg" by the Confederates. 

Sharpsburg was a small post village in Washington 
County, Md., sixteen miles south from Hagerstown, and 
about twelve miles west of Middletown (from which 



64 Histonj of the [1862 

it is separated by the South Mountains), and about the 
same distance north from Harper's Ferry, and three 
miles from the ferry on the Potomac at Shepards- 
ville, Va. 

About this time General Burnside issued an order 
that no whole rails should be burned. The order was 
obeyed, for thereafter, only hroken ones were burned. 

Sept. 19th. — Heavy cannonading was heard in the 
direction of the Potomac — our right wing was engag- 
ing the enemy as he attempted to cross the river. 

Sept. 20tli. — The booming of cannon was heard 
beyond the Potomac — the rebel forces had retreated 
across the river. Stonewall Jackson's expectations 
were wholly defeated; after all his strategy and dash- 
ing movements toward the North, he had found his 
match in coping with Generals McClellan and Burn- 
side — he had discovered the mistaken idea he cher- 
ished in presuming his ability and power to roam at 
will through the North, and winter in the "Old Key- 
stone State." 

For the first time in ten days the regiment unsad- 
dled its horses. 

Sept. 21st. — Four companies were sent east of 
Sharpsburg, at the residence of a man named Sher- 
man. The inhalntants of AVashington and Frederick 
Counties were nearly all loyal — Sharpsburg was 
partly "secesh," but its buildings had been bored and 
well ventilated by the shot and shell of the recent 
battle. 

Sept. 22d. — The Emancipation Proclamation was 
issued on this date, freeing all slaves from Jan. 1st, 
1863. In the report of Col. Wm. H. Irwin, Forty- 
ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, commanding Third 
Brigade, Second Division, Sixth Corps, camp near 



1862] Sixth New York Cavalry. 65 

Williamsport, Md., Sept. 22d, of the Battle of Cramp- 
ton's Pass and Antietam, I find this mention: "The 
wounded were carried to the rear to a temporary hos- 
pital, where Assistant Surgeon Richard Curran, 
Thirty-third New York Volunteers, was assiduous in 
his attention to the wounded." And again, further 
on in the report, "Assistant Surgeon Richard Cur- 
ran, Thirty-third New York Volunteers, was in 
charge of our temporary hospital, which unavoidably 
was under fire; but he attended faithfully to his sev- 
eral duties, and I beg to mention this officer with par- 
ticular commendation. His example is but too rare, 
most unfortunatel}^" (Doctor Curran was, later on, 
commissioned assistant surgeon of the Sixth New 
York Cavalry, and still later on surgeon of the Ninth 
New York Cavalry.) 

Sept. 23d. — A ride through Harper's Ferry showed 
the result of the battle there — many of its beautiful 
and costly buildings were in ruins, and many blocks 
had fallen. 

Sept. 26tli. — For eight days the regiment had been 
bivouacking in the road in the same place. Rumors 
were floating through the camp that the South had 
asked for thirty da^^s' armistice for the purpose of 
forming a kind of treaty. 

Oct. 3d. — The Army of the Potomac was reviewed 
by President Lincoln. 

Oct. 7th. — Reveille at four o'clock. "Boots and sad- 
dles" at five o'clock; at ten o'clock the regiment 
received orders to move to Pleasant Valley; arrived 
there at 2 p.m. ; the dustiest march of the campaign — 
the eyes, mouth, nostrils and ears were completely 
filled with the combustion of pulverized material from 
the pike ; one could, with much difficult straining of 
5 



66 History of the [1862 

the eyes, distinguish his nearest neighbor in the 
ranks. 

Oct. 11th.— Companies I and L were ordered on a 
scout; saddled up at -t a.m. and five o'clock left camp, 
commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Mc Vicar; went 
via Brownsville and Rossville and on to Boonsboro, 
then returned to Brownsville and bivouacked near the 
town till midnight, when the regiment came up and 
the squadron was ordered to follow it to Boonsboro, 
arriving there at 2 a.m. the 12th, having marched 
about thirty-five miles. 

Oct. 12th.— The squadron left Boonsboro at sunrise 
and went, on gallop, to Hagerstown, distant eleven 
miles— a reconnoissance to ascertain the whereabouts 
of the enemy. Learned that Stuart's cavalry and 
some artillery had crossed near Hancock and gone on 
to Chambersburg, Penn., which town they had robbed 
and nearly destroyed. Firing was heard in the direc- 
tion of Chambersburg and Harper's Ferry. Arrived 
back at Boonsboro at 10 a.m. and remained near town 
until 11 p.m., when it marched to Jefferson and joined 
the regiment at 3 a.m. the 13th, a distance of twenty 
miles, the route being via Middletown, on the Hagers- 
town and Frederick turnpike. 

Oct. 13th.— The regiment moved at 6 a.m. and went 
to within a mile of Point of Rocks on the Potomac, 
and there learned that Stuart had escaped with his 
booty. Wheeled about, and passing through Catoc- 
tin and Knoxville, reached camp in Pleasant Valley 
at 2 p.m. Stuart raided Chambersburg and the coun- 
try rouud about, and escaped to his own lines with 
about 1000 horses and a large amount of clothing. 
Were the officers of the Army of the Potomac 
asleep f 



1862] Sixth New York Cavalrij. 67 

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, 

Oct. 13th, 1862, 7 p.m. 

jMajor-general ITalleck, general -in-chief : 

The recent raid of Stuart, who, in spite of all the precau- 
tions I could take with the means at my disposal, went 
entirely around this amiy, has shown most conclusively how 
greatly the service suffers from our deficiency in the cavalry 
arm. The great extent of the river line from Washington 
to Cumberland, the major portion of which, at the present 
stage of water, is fordable at almost every point, renders it 
necessary to scatter our cavalry for a very great distance in 
order to Avatch the numerous crossings. At the time Stuart 
crossed, it so happened that the greater part of our cavalry 
was absent, near Cumberland, in pursuit of another rebei 
cavahy force which had made its appearance at the Little 
Cacapon, and other points on the Upper Potomac, destroying 
railroad bridges, etc. I had pickets at McCoy's Ferry, where 
Stuait crossed, but they were captured by his men, and, in 
consequence of this, I did not learn of the crossing for some 
hours afterward. All the cavalry that could be collected to 
pursue Stuart, only amounted to less than 1000 men. With 
these, Pleasa.nton marched seventy-eight miles in twenty-four 
hours, with a horse battery, but only came up with Stuart 
at the Potomac after he had marched over ninety miles cbir- 
ing the same time, with change of horses. The track of the 
rebels was entirely outside of our infantry until he came 
near General Stoneman, at Poolesville, who has not as yet 
explained why he did not mass his troops and engage him, 
as he was ordered. The rapid movement of the rebel cavalry 
precluded the possibility of marching out infantry from any 
point of our lines with a probability of intercepting them. 
Cavalry is the only description of force that can prevent 
these raids. Our cavalry has been constantly occupied in 
scouting and reconnoissances, and this severe labor has 
worked down the horses and rendered many of them unser- 
viceable, so that at this time, no more than one-half of our 



68 History of the [1862 

cavalry are lit for active service in the field. The enemy is 
well provided with cavalry, while our cavalry force, even 
with every man well mounted, would be inadequate to the 
requirement of the service and to the large infantry force 
M'itli the army. I, therefore, again most strenuously urge 
upon the department the imperative necessity of at once 
supplying this army, including the command of General 
Banks, with a sufficient number of horses to remount every 
dismounted cavalry soldier within the shortest possible time. 
If this is not done we shall be constantly exposed to rebel 
cavalry raids. 

(Signed) Geo. B. McClellan, 

Major-general. 

Oct. 15tli. — The Sixth New York was ordered to 
report to General Hancock, and was engaged in the 
reconnoissance to Charlestown, driving the rebel 
pickets from the front of that position; Troop G in a 
gallant dash on Kearneysville engaging the enemy's 
cavalry in superior force, taking two prisoners and 
horses, and retiring without loss. The regiment left 
camp at 6 p.m. and marched to Bolivar Heights, Va., 
arriving there at ten o'clock and lay to horse until 
3 a.m. the 16th, The regiment retired to camp at 
Pleasant Valley on the 18th. 

October 16th, 1862, 1 o'clock. 
General : 

I cannot ascertain how much cavalry force was here with 
any certainty. All numbers are stated, from 200 to 5 regi- 
ments. There were from 5 to 7 guns. The enemy's cavalry 
pickets are moving about to my right and left rear. I there- 
fore have to picket those roads a good deal. This will reduce 
the cavalry force, available to move forward, to about 600 
men. This command seems small; still, as I have received 



1862] Sixth New York Cavalry. 69 

no other instmctions, I shall order Colonel Devin to proceed. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 
(Not signed, but supposed to be General Hancock.) 
Maj. F. A. Walker, A. A. G., Second Corps. 

Oct. 16th. — Reveille at three o'clock; left camp at 
daylight and advanced toward the enemy's line. His 
pickets were driven in at seven o'clock, and by a little 
after eight the "ball" was opened by our guns, with 
but little response from the enemy, who made but a 
slight stand. At 1 p.m. our forces marched into 
Charlestown, the enemy being on the retreat to Win- 
chester and Martinsburg. Encamped on the ground 
occupied by "Stonewall" Jackson after the taking of 
Harper's Ferry. 

Oct. 17th. — Having accomplished the object of the 
reconnoissance (ascertaining the position of the 
enemy), our forces fell back to Harper's Ferry and 
bivouacked near Bolivar Heights. 

Headquarters Caldwell's Brigade, 
B0LIV.VR Heights, Va., Oct. 20th, 1862. 
Captain : 

I have the honor to submit the following' report of the part 
taken by my brigade in the reconnoissance of the 16th and 
17th inst. Some distance beyond Halltown, where the artil- 
lery fire commenced, the command of Lieutenant-colonel ]\Iiles, 
consisting of the Sixty-first and Sixty-fourth New York Vol- 
unteers, was detailed by me, by order of General Hancock, 
and ordered to report to Colonel Brooks. I drew up two of 
my three remaining regiments in line of battle on the right 
of the road, and put the third in column of division behind 
the centre of the line. In this order, with skirmishers thrown 
out well to the front, I advanced to and through Charlestown. 
Just beyond the village, we halted until about 1 p.m., when, 



70 Histonj of the ' [1862 

by order, I advanced my skirmishers and line of battle 
through the woods, nearly two miles beyond Charlesto\^^l, and 
remained until relieved by the Sixth New York Cavalry, 
under Colonel Devin, when we returned to our former posi- 
tion, on the outskirts of Charlestown. We saw about fifty of 
the enemj-'s cavalr3^ which retired as we advanced. 

(Signed) Jno. C. Caldwell, 

Brigadier-general Commanding. 
Captain Hancock, A. A. G., Hancock's Division. 

Oct. IStli. — Left Bolivar Heights and reached camp 
in afternoon. 

Oct. 20th. — C^olonel Devin was ordered, with his com- 
mand, to co-operate w^itli General Geary in an expedi- 
tion to capture a force of the enemy that was forag- 
ing in the neighborhood of Lovettsville, Va. The 
regiment crossed the Potomac and Shenandoah Riv- 
ers and, joining Geary's Brigade on Loudoun Heights, 
crossed Short Mountain, charged through Hillsboro, 
and advanced toward Waterford, near Wheatland. 
The advance, under Lieutenant-colonel McVicar and 
Major Carwardine, discovered the rebel advance, 
charged the main body, and routed them completely, 
effectually dispersing them before the arrival of the 
infantry or artillery. 

Oct. 20th. — Saddled up at midnight. At 1 a.m. the 
21st started for Virginia, via Harper's Ferry; 
crossed the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, thence 
to Hillsboro, charging through it at sunrise, captur- 
ing a few rebel cavalry, among them Captain Grubb, 
who commanded an independent company raised in 
Loudoun C^ounty. Pickets were immediately throwai 
around the town, Colonel Devin remaining there with 
one company, I, while the regiment proceeded to Mor- 



1862] Sixth New York Cavalry. 71 

ristown, some miles farther on, A part of the regi- 
ment went into and through the town, and just beyond 
it forty-five of them intercepted and attacked a body 
of rebel cavalry, under Captain AVhite, numbering 
150. The men immediately ])repared for a charge ; 
the rebels formed and fired a volley into their ranks, 
which was returned by one from the Sixtli New York; 
a charge was then ordered and led by Lieutenant- 
colonel McVicar; the enemy could not stand the steel, 
but wheeled and fled, the Sixth pursuing with tremen- 
dous yells — 150 put to flight by 45 — chasing them 
some distance through lanes and gates to an open 
field (a side hill) in the woods, beyond which they 
escaped. Colonel McVicar had a hand-to-hand fight 
with one of the enemy, and worsted him, besides hav- 
ing his horse shot. The regiment killed and womided 
a number of the enemy, ca]3tured a stand of colors 
and four guidons, twent^^-three prisoners (including 
two captains and one lieutenant) and forty horses. 
The regiment's loss was one killed (James Murray, 
Company A), four wounded and one missing. 
Eeturned via Donaldsville to Lovettsville and 
bivouacked. General Geary expressed the utmost 
satisfaction at the spirit and valor of the regiment 
which was exhibited in charging and utterly routing 
the enemy's cavalry, nearly four times its own num- 
ber. 

Oct. 22d. — Keturned via Point of Rocks and Har- 
per's Ferry to camp, having been twenty-four hours 
in the saddle. 

Headquarters Second Division, Twelfth Corps, 
Loudoun Heights, Va., Oct. 22d, 1862. 
Colonel : 

About midnight of the 20th, I received orders from Major- 
general Burnside to proceed on a tour of reconnoissance. I 



72 Histonj of the [1862 

have the honor to furnish the Major-general commanding, 
with a copy of my report of the result of the same. 

The orders for me to proceed on a tour of reconnoissance 
toward Lovettsville were received about 12.30 o'clock on the 
morning of the 21st. I have the honor to report that my 
column, consisting of portions of the First and Second Bri- 
gades and Knapp 's Pennsylvania Battery, of this division, and 
about 300 of the Sixth New York Cavalry, ordered to report 
to me for the occasion, was put in motion about 2.30 o'clock. 
We proceeded up the valley lying between the Blue Ridge 
and Short Hills, by the Hillsboro and Harper's Ferry turn- 
pike, passing through Neersville to Hillsboro, at which place 
we expected to meet a considerable number of the enemy, as 
I learned on my way there that they had been there on the 
evening previous; but, on our arrival, I found that they had 
been hastily recalled to Snickersville, where they had returned 
during the night. Just beyond Hillsboro we captured several 
rebel cavalry scouts. I there learned that a portion of the 
enemy's cavalry was in the neighborhood of Morrisville. where 
I sent about 200 infantry and 100 cavalry upon a road lead- 
ing directly to it, and pushed forward rapidly with the main 
body to Wheatland, and extended my line eastwardly toward 
Waterford, cutting off all communications upon the roads 
running south. The main body of the cavalry then proceeded 
toward Lovettsville, and fell in with a portion of White's 
Cavalry Battalion, under Captain R. B. Grubb, drawn up 
in line of battle on the edge of a wood, upon the Glenmore 
farm, about one and a half miles north of Wheatland, and 
with sharpshooters on the top of hay-stacks. The detach- 
ment of the cavalry remaining with me (about 200), led by 
Lieutenant-colonel IMcViear, impetuously charged upon the 
enemj^, who resisted them but a short time, and then beat 
a hasty retreat, closely pursued by our cavalry for several 
miles in a running fight. The enemy finally scattered in all 
directions, and during their retreat closed several gates to 
impede our pursuit. Our loss was one killed and two 



1862] Sixth New Yorlc Cavalry, 73 

wounded ( ; that of the enemy, two known to be killed and 
twelve wounded. We captured two officers and twenty men. 
This cavalry organization was notorious for its numerous 
depredations on the property of Union people in Loudoun 
County, and for conscripting- for the rebel army. Our cav- 
alry exhibited much bravery in their charge, and throughout 
conducted themselves admirably. Colonel Devin (their com- 
mander), Lieutenant-colonel Mc Vicar and Major Carwardine 
are deserving of much approbation for their display of gal- 
lantry and ability. In the charge Lieutenant-colonel ]Mc Vicar, 
who led it, had his horse shot under him, and received a 
bullet through his coat. 

(Signed) Jno. W. Geary, 

Brigadier-general commanding. 
Lieutenant-colonel H. C. Rodgers, A. A. C, 12th Corps. 

Clipping from a "war times" |)aper, dated Wash- 
ington, Oct. 22d, 1862, at 1 p.m. : 

The reconnoitring party toward Leesburg has just re- 
turned in fine spirits, sore-footed, on rebel horses. We killed 
six of the enemy and wounded several more, and captured 
forty prisoners and horses. The force left the east side of 
Loudoun Heights at daybreak on Tuesday, marching in the 
following order: Sixth Ncav York Cavalry, Colonel Thos. C. 
Devin; First Brigade of General Geary's command; Second 
Brigade of Geary's command, followed by Knapp's Pennsyl- 
vania Battery of six guns, all under the command of General 
Geary. Our forces reached Hillsboro, a "secesh" village of 
some fifty houses, about noon. The eavalrv^ dashed in. cap- 
turing Lieutenant Grubb of the new company of rebel ran- 
gers belonging to Stuart's cavalry, who had been giiardinu 
Snicker's Gap, but were now on scouting duty. They imme- 
diately, to the number of 125. skedaddled from Hillsboro in 
the direction of Wheatland. Overtaking them near Wheat- 
land, we opened with a battery, supported by the Twenty- 
eighth Pennsylvania. The other regiments deployed out in 



74 History of the [1862 

both directions. After a few rounds the cavalry chari^ed in 
splendid style, led by Lieutenant-colonel Mc Vicar (formerly 
of the Royal Artillery) full thirty yards in advance of his 
men. He received five bullets in his clothing, besides having 
his horse shot under him by a rebel secreted in a haystack. 

The Colonel, in the words of the illustrious Washington, 
might have said, "By the all powerful dispensations of Prov- 
idence, I have been protected beyond all expectation. I had 
four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me. 
Yet I escaped unhurt, though death was levelling my compan- 
ions on every side." 

The chase continued full two miles. Forty prisoners were 
taken, including the captain and three other Grubbs, thus 
clearing out the Grubbs in this valley. Several rebels scat- 
tered among the houses and changed their clothing. One 
major, thus disguised, was captured. Continuing the march, 
we reached Lovettsville at night, all citizens being driven 
ahead so that they could tell no tales. Then we encamped and 
started homeward the next morning at 2 o'clock. Thus the 
guerrillas infesting Loudoun, and appearing night before 
last, at the river opposite Knoxville. are all cleaned out. 



Headquarters Hancock's Division, 
Harper's Ferry, Va., Oct. 22d, 1862. 
Major : 

On the 16th inst., in obedience to instructions, I marched 
toAvard Charlestown, Va., with my division, and 1500 men 
of other divisions, under command of Colonel W. E. Lee, 
Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteers, and a force of cavalry, 
with a battery of four guns (horse artillery). Colonel Devin 
being in command thereof. Early on the morning of the 
16th, I sent one squadron up the railroad as far as Kearneys- 
ville. It proceeded to that point without meeting General 
Humphrey's command, as was expected, and, having per- 
formed the task assigned it, returned to camp, the commander 



186*2] Sixth New York Cavalry. 75 

making liis report direct to the commander of the Second 
Corps. I regret I have not the name of this officer. 

(Signed) W. S. Hancock, 

Brigadier-general Commanding Division. 
Major F. A. Walker, A. A. G., Second Corps. 

Indorsement. 

Headquarters Second Corps, Oct. 25th, 1862. 
This report of Brigadier-general Hancock is respectfully 
forwarded, and this most excellent officer is especially recom- 
mended to the favorable notice of the commanding General. 
Captain Sheldon, Sixth New York Cavalry, is the officer who 
made the dashing reconnoissance to Kearneysville, referred 
to by General Hancock. 

(Signed) D. N. Couch, 

Major-general. 

Oct. 24th. — Corporal Crawford of Company C and 
six men were detailed to go with three of General 
Burnside's staff officers down the canal toward Wash- 
ington, the object being an inspection of the troops. 
Returned to the regiment on the 27th. "General 
Geary presents his thanks to the Sixth New York 
Cavalry for the gallant behavior of men and officers 
during the fight of the 21st, near Wheatland." 

Oct. 25th. — The regiment was again ordered to take 
the advance and march to Lovettsville, and from 
thence to Wheatland, and via Pnrcellville, Salem, 
Eectortowm and Orleans to Warrenton. It was there 
attached to the headquarters of the army, and 
employed in observing the country on its flanks and 
rear from Chester Gap on the west to Aldie Gap (in 
the Bull Eull range) on the east. 

When the army left Warrenton, the regiment 
again took the advance to Catlett's Station, where it 



76 Histonj of the [1862 

was ordered to Manassas Junction to cover the move- 
ment of General Sickles' division to Falmouth, via 
Fairfax and Dumfries. This duty it did satisfac- 
torily, and returned to headquarters, when it was 
again ordered out to hold the fords of the Rappahan- 
nock River during the Battle of Fredericksburg (with 
the exception of Troops B, C, D and K, which crossed 
the river with (leneral Sumner's grand division). 
On the day of the battle a detachment from the com- 
panies at the fords, under the command of Lieutenant- 
colonel McVicar, proceeded to Ellis' Ford, twenty-one 
miles from Falmouth, and crossed the Rappahannock 
River, driving in the enemy's pickets, capturing sev- 
eral, and unmasking on the Culpeper road a battery 
of three guns, supported by the First South Carolina 
Cavalry. Was forced then to retire under a heavy 
fire of shot and shell, losing one sergeant of Troop E 
(which led the advance). 

It will thus be seen that the Sixth Regiment had 
performed an almost unparalleled amount of duty, 
although cut up by detachments, sometimes having 
but four companies left together, and had reported to 
and been engaged in service, at different times, under 
twenty general officers, who all united in testifying to 
the efficiency of the command, a record the regiment 
may well be proud of. It is as wonderful as true that 
through the whole of that arduous campaign, its 
actual loss in battle, though often under fire, was not 
over a score of men killed and wounded, and can only 
be attributed to the excellent discipline of the regi- 
ment, and the fact that it had never been unneces- 
sarily exposed. One battalion (First) left camp at 
daybreak. At noon Troops I and M followed, taking 
their course, on the Maryland side, along the Poto- 



18(i-J] Sixth New York Cavalry. 77 

mac and B. & 0. Canal, passed through Knoxville, 
then on to Berlin, where they crossed over into Vir- 
ginia on the pontoon bridge (the cavalry being the 
first troops to cross on the bridge), and proceeded to 
Lovettsville, and there joined the First Battalion. 
They immediately countermarched, and galloped back 
to the Potomac, and took position at the pontoon 
bridge opposite Berlin, 

Oct, 26tli, — General Pleasanton's cavalry brigade 
crossed the bridge in the morning; troops had been 
crossing all day, artillery, cavalry and infantry — the 
army was advancing. 

War Department, 
Washington City, Oct. 25th, 1862. 
]\Ia.jor-general IMcClellan : 

I have just read your dispatch about sore-tougued and 
fatigued horses. AVill you pardon me for asking what the 
horses of your army have done since the battle of Antietam 
that fatig-ues anything? 

(Signed) A. Lincoln. 

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, 

Oct. 26th, 1862, 9 p.m. 

His Excellency Abraham Lincoln, President of the U. S. : 
I have the honor — Colonel Devin's cavalry, on the 22d, 
in a skirmish with the rebels near Snickersville, killed ten 
of them and captured thirty-two prisoners, including one 
captain and two lieutenants. Very many other expeditions 
and scouts have been made by our cavalry since the Battle 
of Antietam, and with uniform success, but I have not con- 
ceived them to be of sufficient importance to make them the 
subject of s])ecial reports. They serve, however, to illustrate 
the efficiency of that arm. 

Witli the exception of the two raids by Stuart, I am un- 
conscious of a single instance where the rebel cavalrv has 



78 History of the [1862 

exhibited any superiority over ours. The fact that Stuart 
outmarched Pleasanton in his last raid is easily accounted 
for. It is said that he received a relay of fresh horses when 
he crossed the river at McCoy's Ferry. From that point he 
had extra lead horses to take the places of those that gave 
out on the road, besides which he stole some 1000 horses in 
Pennsylvania, which contributed tOAvard giving him another 
relay. Notwithstanding all this, he dropped a great many 
broken-down horses along the road. Pleasanton made his 
entire trip without a change of horses. 

After this statement of facts has been placed before you, 
I feel confident you will concur with me that our cavalry 
is equally as efficient as that of the rebels. 

(Signed) Geo. B. McClellan, 

Major-general Commanding. 

Oct. 27. — What a fearful nio^ht! Eain and cold, 
and many of the men withont shelter — mud knee-deep ; 
what suffering! Troop C was detailed to report to 
General Wilcox. The regiment left the Potomac in 
the morning and marched to Lovettsville, where it 
encamped near General Whipple's division. 

Oct. 29th. — Companies I and jM rejoined the regi- 
ment and marched al)ont five miles beyond Lovetts- 
ville, to a grist-mill (Wheatland's) on the road to 
Winchester, and bivouacked. 

Nov. 1st. — The regiment remained at Wheatland 
Mills, waiting the arrival of General Burnside. The 
army was advancing in Virginia. 

Nov. 2d. — ^At eleven o'clock the regiment formed in 
line on the hill overlooking the camp. At noon Gen- 
erals McClellan and Burnside came up from the direc- 
tion of Lovettsville, The regiment moved forward, 
as escort, to a small town six miles distant toward 
Snickersville Gap, in the Blue Ridge, moving at a gal- 



18G2] Sixth New York Cavalry. 79 

lop. Had several small skirmishes during the day. 
All the fighting was done by cavalry and flying artil- 
k='ry. The roads were very muddy and badly blocked 
by wagons, making the movement of troojis very slow 
and difficult. Heavy firing was heard in the direction 
of the gap. Regiment bivouacked near army head- 
quarters. 

Nov. 3d. — Moved out at 10 a.m. and followed Gen- 
eral Burnside, at a gallop, to Uniontown; remained 
there until three o'clock and then galloped to Ilpper- 
ville ; wheeled about and followed the General about 
three miles and bivouacked. 

Nov. 5th. — Left camp at Upperville and escorted 
Generals ]\IcClellan and Burnside to Rectortown, on 
the Manassas Railroad, bivouacking for the night. 

Nov. 6th. — Troops I and L were detached and left 
camp at 8 a.m. and marched to Piedmont Station to 
await orders from General Wlii]i]jle. At 2 p.m. 
marched to Manassas Ga]i, distant about ten miles, 
and found about 400 rebels occupying the gap. A few 
shells made them disperse toward Front Royal. The 
squadron held the Gap during the night, the pickets, a 
half mile distant, being in ])ossession of the heights 
which had been occupied by the Hill Cavalry (Con- 
federate) but two hours before; they were in sight of 
the rebel encampment, where their blazing fires could 
be distinctly seen. Front Royal was in possession of 
the enemy, under command of General Hill. At ten 
o'clock moved back a mile to Linden Station, remain- 
ing in that position during the night. The regiment 
marched to Manassas Railroad, thence to Salem, and 
halted after dark near Rappahannock River. 

Nov. 7th. — The regiment moved to Orleans. It 
snowed all day. The Union line was thirtv miles 



80 History of the [1862 

long. Troops I and L remained at Linden Station; 
the weather was very cold; left the station at 7 p.m. 
in a snowstorm — were compelled to move very cau- 
tiously but rapidly, unknown to any citizen; the 
position was a critical one, for the squadron was with- 
in a short distance of Front Royal, and a large force 
of the enemy. Troop I went close to their camp, in 
full view of the men about their fires. Marched ten 
miles and bivouacked at a large farm-house a few 
miles north of Orleans. 

Nov. 8th. — Part of the regiment crossed the river. 
Troops I and L decamped at 7 a.m. and marched to 
Orleans to the headquarters of General Whipple. 
Were sent out in the afternoon to picket the road in 
the direction of Culpeper C. H. ; crossed the Eappa- 
hannock on the road to Amissvilie and occupied the 
ground held by the rebel pickets the day before. 

Nov. lOtli. — Company I accompanied two of 
G-eneral Whipple's statf officers to Miller's Ford on 
the Eappahannock River. The squadron was sent to 
report to General Sturgis, who was engaging the 
enemy, and was ordered to Hinson's Ford to hold it 
and protect Whipple's lines. 

Nov. lltli. — The regiment was picketing at Orleans. 
Companies I and L being the only cavalry Gen- 
eral Whipple had, it was kept "on the jump." 

Barbee's Crossroads, Nov. 11th, 1862, 9.30 a.m. 
General : 

I communicated, according to your request, with Generals 
Whipple and Piatt. While there, your dispatch came, stating' 
that the enemy were in front of Sturgis, and being solicitous 
about his right flank from Chester Gap, I concluded to deviate 
from my orders by watching it through the night. I ar- 
rived here after dark; found a squadron of Sixth Regiment 




GENERAL CHARLES L. FITZHUGH. 



[1862 Sixth New York Cavalry. 81 

Cavalry, who picket a mile out on each road. I seut out 
a party to scout the Chester road, and another the road to 
Markham Station and Upperville, for four miles out. They 
returned at daylight, having seen and heard nothing. I then 
sent a party with orders to reach Sandy Plook, if possible. 
They got Avithin half a mile of the place, and succeeded in 
passing themselves as rebels from Araissville. Six hundred 
rebel cavalry arrived at Sandy Hook yesterday from up the 
valley. The Seventh Virginia is within two miles of Mark- 
ham, and it is thought that Jackson will march dowTi to the 
Grade road, on the ridge, to-day. They saw two rebel pickets 
who fled, when they thought it prudent to return, as they 
only numbered seven in the party. I also sent another partj^ 
(Companj^ A), under command of Captain Crocker (brother 
of Captain AV. H.), with instructions to go to Markham, if 
possible, thence to Piedmont, Rectorto^vn and Salem, and to 
send a detachment to Upperville, if prudent. I enclose his 
dispatch, just received. 

Very respectfully, etc., 
(Signed) Thos. C. Devin, 

Colonel Sixth New York Cavalry. 

Enclosure. 

Headquarters, Nov. 11th, 1862, 8.20 a.m. 
Colonel T. C. Devin, Barbee's Crossroads. 

Colonel : 

Pursuant to your order, this command arrived at Mariv- 
ham about 7 this a.m. Found there Doctor Crawford, 
Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and twenty enlisted men of Fifth 
United States and Sixth United States, paroled yesterday by 
officer in command of two squadrons. Second Virginia Cav- 
alry (rebels). The headquarters of the regiment are -vAathin 
a mile or two northwest of jMarkham. Have one prisoner of 
Seventh Virginia, captured w^hile riding through Markham, 
visiting. Lieutenant Easton does not go to Upperville. There 
is no infantry (rebels) about here, but every hill, and there 
6 



82 Historp of the [1862 

are many, is infested with guerrillas, so says Doctor Craw- 
ford. Will go on to Salem and meet your command there. 
Expect to fall in with some rebel pickets on this road. 
(Signed) G. A. Crocker, 

Captain Sixth New York Cavalry. 

Nov. 12tli. — The regiment moved early in the morn- 
ing and marched to Bolivar Crossroads, and then 
returned to Waterloo, a small town about eight miles 
west from Warrenton. Troop I was sent out on a 
scout to feel the enemy. 

Nov. 13th. — The news reached camp that Greneral 
McClellan had been superseded by General Burnside 
in command of the Army of the Potomac. One squad- 
ron went out on picket near Waterloo. 

Nov. 14tli — Part of one squadron was sent on a 
reconnoissance at 5 a.m. and learned that the enemy 
was in some force at Jefferson. 

Nov. 15th. — Regiment moved to near Sulphur 
Springs, where the enemy shelled our wagon train, 
but Benjamin's battery soon drove them off". 

Headquarters Sixth New York Volunteer Cavalry, 

WxVRRENTON, Nov. 15th, 1862. 
Major-general Parke, chief of staff. 

General : In accordance with instructions, I left this place 
at 2 p.m. yesterday with four troops of my regiment, and 
proceeded to Salem, where I arrived at nightfall and estab- 
lished my headquarters. I picketed the roads leading to 
Barbee's Crossroads, to Piedmont, to Reetortown and to 
White Plains. I then ordered Captain Van Buren with Troop 
M to proceed to White Plains, and send detachments to 
communicate with the pickets of General Sigel at Thorough- 
fare Gap, Hopewell and Aldie. This duty was correctly 
executed, except that the part sent to Aldie lost the road and 



[1862 Sixth New York Cavalry. 83 

went to ^riddleburg. Captain Van Buren reports GeneraJ 
Steinwehr at the gap, and one Ohio regiment at Hopewell. 
No force at White Phiins, Middlebiirg or Aldie. Before day- 
break I sent detachments to scout to Piedmont and Rector- 
toA\^i, who report no force there, except straggling guerrillas. 
I also sent Captain Sheldon with Troop (I to the left, to 
communicate with the force at Barbee's Crossroads (Ceneral 
Pleasanton's and General Wilcox's). He reports the squad- 
ron at Barbee's has left; also, that Generals Pleasanton aiid 
Wilcox had left; he conld not ascertain M' hereto. He found 
one squadron (Eighth Pennsylvania) at Orleans. Sixteen 
of White's rebel cavalry entered Salem, day before yester- 
day, and captured some of our stragglers. They said they 
were going to Paris. You will observe that I succeeded in 
establishing communication between our forces on the extreme 
right and General Sigel's lines, thus covering the whole rear. 
Was unable to hear of any force of the enemy except that 
there was a strong force at Front Royal. 

Very respectfully, etc., 
(Signed) Thos. C. Devin, 

Colonel Commanding Sixth New York Vol. Cavaliy. 

Nov, IGtli. — ''Boots aud saddles" sounded before 
dayliglit. Whipple's division moved out, C*ompanies 
I and L acting as rear guard. Arrived at AVar- 
renton at 4 p.m. and encamped. The regiment was 
ordered to report to General Sickles at Manassas 
Junction to cover the movements of his division to 
Fredericksburg. 

Nov. 17th. — Left at daybreak and marched to Eap- 
pahannock Station. At night went into bivouac at 
Liberty, about two miles from Bealeton Station. The 
most of the troops that were around Warrenton had 
moved in the direction of Bealeton. It was rumored 
through the camp that Secretary Stanton would not 



84 History of the [1862 

allow the army to go into winter quarters "this side 
of Richmond." 

Nov. 18th. — The squadron left Rappahannock Sta- 
tion and marched to within three miles of Barnett's 
Ford. The regiment was in Stafford County, seven 
miles from Fredericksburg. 

Nov. 19th. — The squadron left Barnett's Ford 
before daylight, and taking the advance of Whipple's 
division marched about six miles and encamped 
about nine miles from Fredericksburg, near Rich- 
ard's Ford. 

Nov. 20th. — The regiment reached Fredericksburg 
in the afternoon and bivouacked on the hill opposite. 
It rained hard all day and all night. 

Nov. 22d. — The squadron moved at nine o'clock as 
rear guard of the division (Whipple's) to within four 
miles of Falmouth, and encamped. The roads were 
in a bad condition. 

Nov. 23d. — Moved out at eight o'clock and pro- 
ceeded in the direction of Aquia Creek. The general 
activity seemed to indicate that a battle would soon 
be fought at or near Fredericksburg. 

Nov. 30th. — For a week the regiment (and squad- 
ron) had been resting quietly in camp, with rumors of 
going into winter quarters. Capt. W. H. Crocker of 
Troop I was promoted to major, and Second 
Lieut. J. H. Bell to first lieutenant. The railroad 
had been completed to Falmouth, and our supplies 
came more regularly — our rations were not so scant. 

Dec. 3d. — The squadron was relieved from duty at 
General Whipple's headquarters and rejoined the 
regiment near the headquarters of General Burnside. 
The army occupied a large extent of the surrounding 
country; the camp was an immense one in size; one 



1862] Sixth New York Cavalry. 85 

might have ridden all day and still have found him- 
self in the midst of tents. The country round about 
Falmouth was a barren waste; not a fence or rail 
or blade of grass was to be seen. The entire route 
from Alexandria to Falmouth was as barren as the 
wastes of Africa. 

Dec. 4th. — The regiment (six companies) was 
reviewed by Generals Hooker and Sickles. 

Dec. 5th. — It rained in the morning, turning to 
snow, hail and rain, and ended in a heavy snowstorm 
in the afternoon. 

Dec. 6th. — The regiment went into winter quarters 
at Belle Plain, and commenced building huts. 

Dec. 9th. — There was much stir and great excite- 
ment outside of the regimental camp. Artillery and 
army wagons were rumbling rapidly along over the 
frozen ground; troops were cheering, and rumors 
were rife that "Stonewall" Jackson had joined Lee's 
army, forming the left wing, and that Stuart's cav- 
alry was between the army of Burnside and that com- 
manded by Sigel, and that Banks was again on the 
way for "on to Eichmond" via the York and James 
Rivers. 

Dec. 10th.- — An order was received assigning the 
Sixth New York Cavalry to General Pleasanton's 
Cavalry Brigade. At 3.30 p.m. the regiment formed 
line, and under the command of Major Crocker 
marched to U. S. Ford, on the Rappahannock River, 
going via Falmouth, from which place the smoke of 
the rebel camp-fires could be seen on the heights 
beyond Fredericksburg. Arrived at the ford at 11.30 
p.m. and relieved the Eighth Illinois Cavalry. An 
alarm was given in the dead of night from the post at 
the ford. The incident being an amusing one, I will 



86 History of the [1862 

give it, but as both the actors are still surviving I will 
omit the names. The man at the ford, thinking he 
saw the enemy crossing the river, mounted his horse 
and, dashing past the inner post, rushed on to the 
reserve and gave the alarm. The man at the inner 
post hurried down to the ford, and when the reserves 
reached it, they found him quietly eating a dish of 
beans he had found on the fire in the pit. 

THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. 

Dec. 11th. — The organization of the Second Bri- 
gade at the battle was Sixth New York, Eighth Penn- 
sjdvania and Sixth U. S. Cavalry Regiments. The 
firing began at 5 a.m. After the first shot was fired 
there was an interval of a few minutes, then bang, 
bang, bang went the big guns, heavy and rapid, until 
eleven o'clock, when they gradually diminished. The 
rebel sharpshooters in the town, secreted in the houses, 
prevented our troops from crossing the bridge, so the 
town was fired, the sharpshooters driven out, and the 
Second Corps crossed the river in the afternoon. 
Company B (Capt. Hillman A. Hall) and Com- 
pany C (Capt. Wm. L. Heermance) were acting as 
escort to Gen. Orlando B. Willcox, commanding Ninth 
Corps. 

Dec. 12th. — The battle was resumed, the cannonad- 
ing being very heavy. The enemy's batteries were in 
position about three-quarters of a mile from the city, 
on a range of hills. 

Dec. 13th. — The battle still raged — a continuous 
roar of both artillery and musketry. Our troops 
occupied the town, which was practically destroyed. 
The enemy occupied the heights beyond, an almost 



18G2] Sixth New York Cavalry. 87 

impregnable position. The battle was fierce and the 
loss was very heavy. Lieutenant-colonel McVicar, 
with Troops E and G, made a dash over Barnett's 
Ford and charged a considerable force of the enemy's 
cavalry and three pieces of artillery, the enemy stub- 
bornly resisting their crossing. Having completed 
the reconnoissance, and finding the enemy in too great 
a force for their numbers, they returned with two 
prisoners, with their horses and equipments. 

Dec. 14th. — The battle continued very heavy during 
the forenoon, but diminished in the afternoon. The 
Sixth New York continued to hold the fords along the 
river and to patrol the roads in the vicinit}^ 

Dec. 15th. — All was quiet along the line of battle. 
Fredericksburg was a city of ruins. 

Dec. 16tli. — Our troops recrossed the river, the 
bridges were taken up, and Fredericksburg was left in 
the hands of the enemy. The Sixth New York was 
employed in patrolling the roads, in a pouring rain, 
with which everybody and everything was thoroughly 
drenched. Orders were received brigading the regi- 
ment with General Gregg ( ?) • 

Dec. 17th. — The regiment continued to picket the 
Kappahannock at and near U. S. Ford. Our army 
had gone back to its old camp. The Confederates 
were busy in further fortifying their position. Our 
burial parties were engaged in burying our dead on 
the enemy's ground. All signs indicated a strong- 
force of the enemy opposite the Sixth New York at 
U. S. Ford; they seemed preparing for some move. 
A few of Stuart's cavalry came within our lines, but 
did not seem inclined to give us battle. 

Dec. 18th.— All was quiet through the night, with 
the weather clear and cold. 



88 Sixth New York Cavalry. [1862 

Dec. 19tli. — The Third Indiana Cavalry came up 
late at night to relieve the Sixth New York from 
picket duty, but waited for daylight. 

Dec. 20th. — The regiment returned, in the morning, 
to camp, where it arrived almost frozen. 

Dec. 21st to 31st. — All quiet along the lines. The 
Sixth New York was in camp near Falmouth, busily 
occupied in building its winter huts, while the Cabinet 
squabbled over who was to blame for the many errors 
and defeats. On the 21st Elisha H. Beebe of Com- 
pany G died in the morning. Funeral services 
were held at 2 p.m. by Chaplain Crocker, the burial 
being made near camp. During the 24th the day was 
devoted to hunting turkeys for Christmas dinner. 
The 25th, Christmas Day, pancakes for breakfast, 
and cannonading in the direction of Fredericksburg 
for the evening. Mr. Allen (one of Professor Lowe's 
balloon operators) was in camp. He had made an 
ascension on the 23d and 24th and found that the reb- 
els had made some change in their front at Fred- 
ericksburg. 

Dec. 29th. — The regiment received orders to hold 
itself in readiness with ten days' rations and forage. 

Headquarters Hancock's Division, 
Falmouth, Va., Dec. 25th, 1862. 
My personal orderlies having been much exposed during 
the engagement (Fredericksburg), I wish to mention them 
for their good conduct on the field. Their names are as fol- 
lows: Corporal Owen McKenzie, Company K, Sixth New 
York Cavalry; Private Thomas Watson, Company K, Sixth 
New York Cavalry; Private James Wells, Company K, Sixth 
New York Cavalry; Private John Harper, Company K, 
Sixth New York Cavalry. 

(Signed) W. S. Hancock, 

Brigadier-general Commanding. 



1863 

January 1st, Xew Year's Day. — The camp was 
given free license for a good time, of which the greater 
part of the men took advantage and had a great time. 
Menu: Commissary hardtack, salthorse and coffee. 
The regiment closed the day's festivities with an 
evening entertainment by saddling up and going on 
picket duty at Banks' Ford, where it found the enemy 
throwing up rifle-pits on the opposite side of the 
river. 

From report of Brigadier-general Willcox, Ninth 
Army Corps, Jan, 7th, 1863: "To the officers and men 
of Companies B and C of the Sixth New York 
Cavalry, serving on escort and orderly duties, which 
were faithfully discharged, my thanks are also due." 

Jan. 8th. — The regiment was relieved from picket 
duty by the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry. There 
was a balloon ascension at night, accompanied ])y a 
bright, flery light high up in the heavens. 

Jan. 9th. — Balloon ascended, unaccompanied. 

Headquarters Cavalry Divisiok, 

Jan. 12th, 186^. 

The Sixth Eegiment of New York Cavalry, under Colonel 

Devin, picketed the fords above Falmouth and the country 

in the direction of Hartwood. On the d-^ath of General 

Bayard, Colonel Devin took command of the Second Brigade. 

(Signed) A. Pleasanton. 

Jan. 15th. — The pontoons were moved in the direc- 
tion of the river. 

Jan. 16tli. — The regiment was ordered to be ready 
to move on the following morning, with three days' 



90 History of the [1863 

cooked rations, sixty rounds carbine cartridges, and 
supply trains to carry light commissary stores. 

Jan, 19tli. — The enemy was constructing log- 
houses along the western bank of the river to conceal 
their sharpshooters while iliey opened fire on our men 
at the crossing. 

Jan. 20th. — The bugle sounded "to arms." The 
regiment paraded in front of the Colonel's quarters, 
when Adjutant Easton read an order for the regiment 
to be in readiness to move at a moment's notice. A 
circular was read from General Burnside to the 
army ordering it to move at an early hour on the fol- 
lowing morning. The army moved in the afternoon 
up the river, to get in position for an attack on the 
enemy. 

Jan. 21st. — A very heav}^ rain made its appearance, 
rendering the roads impassable for artillery and 
wagons. The pontoons had nearly reached the fords, 
but could get no farther, and the army was again 
defeated, but this time by mud. 

Jan. 22d. — It was still raining. Part of the army 
returned to camp. The Sixth New York went on 
picket duty on the Rappahannock River. 

Jan. 23d. — On picket at U. S. Ford. Could see the 
enemy entrenching; a long line of rifle-pits extended 
the entire length of the hillside, and field-pieces were 
being placed in the rear to rake our point of crossing. 
The rebels posted a banner on their side of the river, 
opposite Falmouth, with this inscription: "Burn- 
side's army stuck in the mud six miles above Fal- 
mouth." The Sixth New York made a small recon- 
noissance toward Barnett's Ford. 

Jan. 24th .^ — The mud was deeper than ever. Seven 
pairs of horses were needed to pull an ordinar}^ can- 



1863J Sixth New York Cavalry. 91 

uoii. Four and six horses were required to draw an 
empty wagon. 

Jan. 26tli. — General Burnside was relieved of the 
command of the army by Gen. Joseph Hooker. "May 
fortune yet favor us, and the looming clouds of dark- 
ness that cloak us now soon pass over, and the Orient 
morning of tranquillity and joy gleam in the East, and 
brightly spread its effulgent rays upon our cause, 
while the sun of righteousness shall appear, graciously 
smiling upon us, dispersing the sable curtain of hor- 
rible gloom that now pervades our once happy and 
beautiful land — the land so dearly bought by the 
Christian patriots of '76." (T. M. Wells.) 

Jan. 27th. — The regiment was still on picket. Rain, 
rain, rain. 

Jan, 28th. — At ten o'clock the rain changed to snow 
and continued all day, making the duties of picket life 
anything but pleasant. 

Jan. 29th. — Six inches of snow over the mud made 
the roads impassable for wagons or artillery. Many 
trees, borne down by the weight of the snow, 
obstructed the roads in many places. The Sixth New 
York was relieved from picket by the Eighth Pennsyl- 
vania, and reached camp about 8 p.m., cold and hungry. 

Jan. 30th and 31st. — In camp trying to solve the 
mysteries of the silent movements ; wondering what, 
when and where would be the next grand move, and 
what its results. 

Feb. 1st. — Furloughs were being granted to the sol- 
diers by the War Department. 

Feb. 5th. — Snow, rain, mud. The Grand Divisions 
of the Army of the Potomac were abolished. General 
Stoneman was placed in command of the Cavalry 
Corps. 



92 Tlistory of the [1863 

Feb. lOtli. — Troops B and C were ordered to 
rejoin the regiment, "At night the musical bands of 
the Potomac Army were discoursing stirring and 
beautiful melodies, almost charming the ears of the 
lovers of music as they listened and caught the 
national strains that floated in the breeze. Now the 
bugles and drums had commenced the 'tattoo,' and 
for a few minutes the martial music would enliven the 
numerous camps, while the 'roll-call' was proceed- 
ing, and the ayes and nays accounted for." (Wells.) 

Feb, 12th. — The regiment was inspected by General 
Stoneman, chief of cavalry, accompanied by General 
Pleasanton. 

Feb. 13th. — The regiment moved out of camp at 
7 a.m., and marched to U. S. Ford for picket duty, 
arriving there at noon, and relieved the Sixth U. S. 
Cavalry. The rebel pickets on the opposite bank were 
brawny fellows, belonging to the Eleventh Alabama 
Regiment. 

Feb. 14th. — The Sixth New York was relieved from 
picket duty by the Sixth U. S. Cavalry, and ordered to 
march to Dumfries. A change had taken place in the 
brigading of cavalry. The regular cavalry was to be 
brigaded and massed together, and the volunteer the 
same, by themselves. The latter was to be stationed 
at the right and rear of the enemy, while the former 
at the front and left. The regiment arrived in camp 
near Fredericksburg at 11 p.m. 

Feb. 15th. — Troop L was detailed as provost- 
guard at division headquarters (General Pleasanton). 

Feb. 16th. — The regiment left camp at 7 a,m, and 
marched via Brooks' Station and Pope's Landing. It 
reached camp near Stafford C. H. at 3 p.m., accom- 
panied by the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 



1863] Sijcth New York Cavalry. 93 

Arranged camp, but soon after the Sixth New York 
was ordered beyond Aquia Creek Church, on picket 
duty, which place it reached at 8 p.m., and bivouacked 
for the night near the Seventeenth Pennsylvania, 
Ninth New York, Fourth New York and Eighth Illi- 
nois Cavalry Eegiments. The men spread their blan- 
kets and lay down, the blue canopy above for a tent 
or cover. 

Feb. 17th. — Awoke at daylight and, much to their 
surprise, the men found several inches of snow on 
their blankets. After shaking off the covering of 
winter, the regiment mounted and marched back to 
camp near Stafford C. H. They realized the stern 
realities of soldiering; the snow was still falling; the 
roads were almost impassable; their condition was 
indescribable; the mud was up to the horses' bodies; 
wagons were stuck and trains were separated; it 
was a day of horrors. 

Feb. 18th. — The snow had changed to rain and was 
coming down fast and heavy when a part of the regi- 
ment was detailed to go to Pope's Landing for grain, 
which was conveyed to camp on the horses, the pas- 
sage of wagons being an impossibility. 

Feb. 21st. — Another trip was made for grain. 

Feb. 22d. — Washington's Birthday, in honor of 
which salutes were fired. It was a bitter cold day, 
and a heavy snowstorm, accompanied by a furious 
northeaster, swept over the camp. The snow was 
about eight inches deep. Company I, with the 
Eighth Pennsylvania, was ordered on picket duty, 
and left camp at 8 a.m. and marched until 3 p.m., a 
distance of fifteen miles. Their picket-line was at 
Cannon's Eun, near Stafford's store, about five miles 
northeast of Ebenezer Church. The suffering and 



94 Historij of the [1863 

hardship of that march, and later on, the exposure 
and inactivity while on the lonely picket-post, were 
such that none but an experienced soldier can fully 
understand. 

Feb, 23d. — The snow was about a foot deep. 

Feb. 25th. — The regiment saddled up and started 
on a search for Stuart. 

Feb. 26tli. — It cleared otf about noon, much to the 
relief of the suffering, half-frozen videttes. A detail 
was sent out on a scout and captured a Union deserter. 
In addition to the severity of the weather, the loca- 
tion of the picket-line was an extremely dangerous 
one, as the country round about was infested with 
bushwhackers. 

Feb. 27th. — The regiment returned to camp in the 
afternoon. It had been gone two days and two nights, 
and had traveled between seventy and eighty miles 
and back, but was too late to catch Stuart, who had 
again crossed at U. S. Ford and driven in General 
Averill's pickets. 

March 4tli. — In the afternoon the regiment moved 
back to Chickahominy Cliurch, distance eight miles, to 
which place our lines had been withdrawn. During 
General Pleasanton's absence on leave Colonel Devin 
was in command of the division. 

March 5tli. — The regiment moved to Aquia Church 
as a reserve, six companies doing jDicket duty there. 

March 8tli. — Eain. The men had grown quite 
accustomed to that frequent and familiar element. 
At night the regiment was drawn up in line awaiting 
the approach of the expected enemy, as some shots 
had been heard along the line of the outposts, but it 
proved to be nothing more than the pickets firing at 
husliwhachers, a detestable set of cowardly sneaks 



[1863 Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 95 

who should have been shot at sight without chal- 
lenge. 

March 9tli. — The Third Indiana Cavalry was 
driven in. 

March lOtli. — General Pleasanton returned to the 
command. Received notice in the afternoon that the 
''noted Stuart" would make us a visit at night and 
deliver a lecture in Ebenezer Church. The Sixth 
New York was in attendance, with a full supply of tick- 
ets, but the lecturer failed to put in an appearance. 
The night was a very stormy one, with rain and snow. 

March 11th. — Major Crocker was appointed Divis- 
ion Inspector General. 

March 12th. — The Army of the Potomac received 
marching orders. The enemy was in large force at 
U. S. Ford, and at Dumfries and Warrenton. An 
order, issued by General Stoneman, chief of cavalry, 
was read to the command, the substance being: "Cav- 
alry that allows itself to be surprised by the enemy, 
while on picket or scouting, must suffer the conse- 
quences ; the officers dismissed from the service and 
enlisted men (non-commissioned and privates) will 
be held responsible for all loss occurring therefrom." 

March 14th. — The regiment was relieved from 
picket duty in the forenoon by the Eighth Pennsylva- 
nia Cavalry, and marched to camp, arriving at 2 p.m., 
having, while on the picket-line, passed through a 
very severe trial of snow, rain and bitter cold 
weather, during which the men nearly perished. 

March 16th. — The regiment was in camp near Staf- 
ford C. H. Heavy cannonading was heard in a 
southwesterly direction. 

March ITtli. — The cannonading continued. ''St. 
Patrick" was the order of the day. 



96 Histoiy of the [1863 

March 19tli. — A cavalry charge was made at Kelly's 
Ford. General Averill crossed his forces at the ford 
and drove Stuart's and Fitzlmgh Lee's cavalry fully 
four miles, capturing some prisoners, among whom 
was a Major Breckenridge. It was a brilliant affair 
and a decided victory over the rebel cavalry. 

March 21st. — Heavy snow and very disagreeable. 
The regiment left camp at 7 a.m. for picket-duty. 

March 24th. — Lieutenants Bell and Phillips, with 
part of Company I went out on a scout about six 
miles beyond the lines to Selkirk's Mills and Staf- 
ford's store. 

March 28th. — The regiment returned from picket 
duty. 

March 31st.— Snow, hail and rain. 

April 1st. — "Boots and saddles" sounded early in 
the morning. It was reported that Stuart, with a large 
force of cavalry, was near Hartwood Church, and 
was threatening Aquia Creek, and riding through in 
his usual style, but Pleasanton's cavalry being pre- 
pared to welcome him, caused him to pause, reflect 
and retreat. 

April 2d. — Nothing more was heard from Stuart, 
except that he had fled across the Rappahannock 
Eiver. 

April Itli. — The regiment went on picket in the 
morning. It was snowing hard and was very cold. 

April 5th. — It was still snowing, but was not so 
cold, but the roads were in a wretched condition. 

April 6th. — There was a general inspection of cav- 
alry at Falmouth. President Lincoln reviewed the 
troops. At noon a salute of twenty-one guns was 
given in honor of the President and suite. Although 
ten miles distant, the booming of the guns was quite 




LIFA-T.-COL. DUNCAN McVJCAR. 



1863] Sixth New York Cavulry. 97 

distinctly heard on the picket-line where the regiment 
was doing dnty. A small party from Company I 
went on a scont and captured one man of the Ninth 
Virginia Cavalry. 

April 7th. — A large body of slaves sought refuge 
within our lines and were conducted to the rear and 
sent on to Washington. 

April 8tli. A small scouting x^^i'ty went thirty 
miles beyond our lines toward Warrenton. 

April 10th. — Another small scouting party went as 
far as Hartwood Church, one mile beyond Selkirk's 
Mills. 

April 12tli. — The Cavalry Corps received orders to 
march on the morning of the IStli, with eight days' 
rations, three of which were to be carried on the 
horses, and the other five on pack mules. The Sixth 
New York was relieved at night from picket and 
ordered into camp. 

April 13tli. — Reveille at 4.30 o'clock, when the regi- 
ment marched from the picket reserve to camp. 

April 14th. — A very heavy rain-storm made its 
appearance. 

April 15th. — The storm continued, causing the 
streams to become very much swollen. 

April 21st. — The regiment moved from camp to 
Brooks' Station and encamped. 

April 23d. — Very stormy. 

April 24tli. — The rain still continued to pour. 

April 26tli. — The paymaster made a call on the regi- 
ment. 

April 27th. — The regiment decamped at 10 a.m. and 
marched via Stoneman's Switch and Hartwood 
Church, and reached Kelly's Ford at 4 p.m. All the 
troops were moving to that point. The pontoon train 

7 



98 History of the [1863 

arrived, but no resistance was made by the enemy to 
the laying of the bridge, onr artillery protecting the 
men in the work. The bridge was finished by 11 p.m., 
and the army commenced crossing over to the opposite 
bank. 

April 28th. — The Sixth New York crossed the bridge 
at 8 a.m., and took the lead of the army, or rather of 
the Twelfth Corps. After marching abont two miles 
it was fired upon by the First North Carolina Cavalry, 
but it charged and soon dispersed them, capturing sev- 
eral of the rebels. It marched on to Germanna Ford, on 
the Rapidan Eiver, scouring and clearing the country 
as it proceeded. At the ford it encountered a force of 
the enemy in rifle-pits, holding an advantageous posi- 
tion across the stream. Lieutenant-colonel McVicar 
ordered fifty men to dismount and advance as skir- 
mishers to the ford, and hold it if possible. The 
order was promptly obeyed, the firing very brisk for 
about an hour, when some infantry (Second Massa- 
chusetts and Seventy-third Pennsylvania) came up 
and, all combined, soon forced the enemy to fall back, 
leaving sixty prisoners in our hands. During the 
fight Colonel McVicar took the carbine of J. N, Craw- 
ford of Troop C and fired several shots. Corporal 
Samuel A. Fanshaw of Troop I was wounded in the 
left knee. The regiment picketed until midnight 
about three miles from the Rapidan, and then 
bivouacked near Wilderness Run. 

April 29th, — The regiment moved on through Wil- 
derness Run several miles, engaging the enemy all 
day, driving them and capturing many. The regi- 
ment's loss in killed, wounded and missing was small. 
It encamped at night near Chancellorsville. 



1863] Sixth New York Cavalnj. 99 

ENGAGEMENT AT ALSOP'S FIELD, 
April 30th, 1863. 

(Written by Atljt. F. A. Eastoii, at request of our Veteran 
Association.) 

A meetiug- of our Association was held Oct. 29tli, 
1897, at the home of our former President, Lieut. 
Thomas B. Adams, 709 Sixth Avenue, New York city. 
There were i3resent: 

Lieutenant-colonel (1. j\I. Van Buren, 
Captain W. L. Heermance, 
jMajor William Edwards, 
Adjutant F. A. Easton, 
Lieutenant Thomas B. Adams, 
Sergeant Martin Ficken, 
Comrade W. H. Bogart, 
Comrade Alonzo Foster. 

Conversation on the events connected with the death 
of Lieut-col. Duncan McVicar disclosed the fact that 
there was a difference of opinion as to details. 

After Comrades Heermance and Easton had read 
and explained their correspondence with Gen. T, T. 
Munford, of the Second Virginia Cavalry, and the 
comrades present had each given his recollection of 
events, it was voted that Adjt. F. A. Easton be 
appointed to write the history of the engagement near 
Todd's Tavern, Thursday, April 30th, 1863. 

This history was begun at once, but not until 1903 
was it completed, just forty years after the event in 
question. Much correspondence and a visit to the 
scene of action were necessary before the facts could 
be harmonized. 

This engagement, said to be the first real cavalry 
charge of the war, has of late years received much 



100 History of the [1863 

attention. It has developed from Confederate sources 
that the presence of the Sixth New York Cavalry at 
this time and place delayed Gen. J. E. B. Stnart 
twelve hours in joining General Lee at Chancellors- 
ville. AVe are under obligations to several officers and 
men who opposed us that night for information fur- 
nished; to none more so than Gen. Thos. T. Munford 
of Lynchburg, Va., who, as Colonel, commanded the 
Second Virginia Cavalry and captured fifty-one of our 
troopers. We cannot refrain from expressing our 
deep appreciation of the courtesy and gentlemanly 
attitude of this officer in all his interviews and corre- 
spondence. We look upon him as a broad, high- 
minded Southern gentleman, making no excuses, but 
strenuous for the truth. His account of this engage- 
ment will follow, and further on will be published 
extracts from his letters defining his views, past and 
present. They are deeply interesting. At our regi- 
mental reunion held at Binghamton, N. Y., Oct. 5th, 
1898, Gen. Thos. T. Munford of Lynchburg, Va., was 
elected an honorary member of our Veteran Associa- 
tion, President Easton pinning the badge to his breast 
amid the plaudits of comrades and citizens. 

The author of this article desires to state that on his 
three trips to the South seeking information he met 
open arms and unbounded hospitality. 

The opposing forces were as follows : 

Federals. 

Sixth New York Cavalry, Lieut.-col. Duncan McVicar 
commanding. 

Capt. W. E. Beardsley, Act. ]Major. 

Lieut. F. A. Easton, Act. Adjt. 

Troop A, Capt. George A. Crocker commanding. 



1863] Sixth Neiu York Cavalry. 101 

Troop B, Capt. W. B. Aitken commanding'. 
Troop C, Capt. W. L. Heermance commanding. 
Troop E, Lient. George W. Goler commanding. 
Troop G, Lient. George E. Farmer commanding. 
Troop ]\I, Capt. G. ]\I. Van Buren commanding. 
Troop I. Capt. John Pierce commanding. 
Lieut. Erastus Titus. 
Lieut. J. H. Bell. 
Lieut. J. W. Blunt. 
Lieut. C. W. Evarts. 
Lieut. R. O'Neil. 
The regiment numbered 254. 

Confederates. 

Cavalry commanded by Gen. Fitzhugh Lee. 

Second Virginia Cavalry, commanded by Col. Thomas T. 
Munford, 400 men. 

Third Virginia Cavalry, commanded by Lieut.-col. R. W. 
Carter, 175 men. 

Fifth Virginia Cavalry, commanded by Charles Tyler, 300 
men. 

First Virginia Cavalry (supporting, but not engaged), com- 
manded by Colonel Drake, 350 men. 

Bretheads Battery (supporting but not engaged), com- 
manded by himself. 

This report is from personal observation and 
reports of Federal and Confederate alike. 

The regiment arrived at Cliancellorsville on Thurs- 
day, April SOtli, 1863, and received orders from Gen- 
eral Pleasanton to report to General Slocum, com- 
manding the Twelfth Corps. Lient.-col. Duncan Mc- 
Vicar, accompanied by the Adjutant, reported as 
directed and received the following verbal order from 
General Slocum. "You will proceed with your com- 
mand to Spottsylvania Court-house, where you will be 



102 Histoiif of the [1863 

joined by others of our troops. Should you meet the 
enemy in force and oifering resistance, you will grad- 
ually fall back and report to me by couriers. Meeting 
no resistance, you will continue the march. ' ' 

After repeating the order to insure correctness, we 
saluted and retired. We had gone but a short dis- 
tance towards joining the regiment when Mc Vicar 
said, "I wish for more definite information as to the 
troops we shall meet at Spottsylvania, and to whom I 
shall report." Eiding back, Mc Vicar began his 
request. He was interrupted by General Slocum, who 
said, "You have your orders, sir; go." 

This, as seemed to us, rather curt reply had a 
depressing effect on our Lieutenant-colonel, and from 
that time he appeared saddened and serious. He 
remarked that the orders indicated a dusty job, with 
results uncertain and perilous. After the regiment 
had proceeded about half a mile, it was drawn up in 
close formation and McVicar addressed the officers 
and men, admonishing them to a full performance of 
their duty as soldiers and Christians. Closing his 
remarks he said, ''To-morrow we shall meet in Fred- 
ericksburg or heaven." The speech, as a whole, had 
a bad effect, for we felt impressed with coming disas- 
ter. The ranks became silent, and it required no close 
observer to note the look of dogged determination that 
settled on their countenances. It was not with our 
usual gaiety and dash that the march was resumed. 

As we advanced, the Confederate outposts retired. 
Occasionally a scpiad of four or five could be seen, 
who, while offering no resistance, were undoubtedly 
sizing us up from our flanks. 

Shortly after crossing a wide but shallow stream of 
water a shot was heard in our rear. As daylight was 



18G3] Sixth New York Cavalry. 103 

fading and the men somewhat nervous, and as the 
minutes passed without further firing, we concluded 
that a mistake had been made. Not so, however, for 
now several shots were heard, which indicated trouble. 

At this time the Lieutenant-colonel was of the opin- 
ion that the men engaged with our rear guard were 
j)art of the Federal troops on their way to Spottsylva- 
nia Court-house. 

The head of our column had now arrived at the 
point indicated by ''A" on the map. Here the regi- 
ment halted, closed up and dismounted, waiting devel- 
opments. 

The road from Chance llorsville to this point was the 
ordinary Virginia road, scarcely wide enough for 
''column of fours," and flanked by woods nearly the 
entire distance. The weather was fine and the moon 
was about half full. 

Lieut. J. Hamilton Bell, with a squad of men, had 
been sent forward on the road to Spottsylvania Court- 
house. Matters now became serious. More firing 
was heard in our rear, and Bell returned, reporting 
that troops blocked our way. Men mounted without 
orders. "We must have room to fight! Down with 
that gate ! Forward ! ' ' and we entered the now his- 
toric Alsop's Field. 

The command was formed, regimental front near 
the centre of the field and facing what had been our 
rear. 

No sooner was the line formed than we were fired 
upon from our front, rear and right flank. The decliv- 
ity on our left precluded any attack from that direc- 
tion. 

Many were still of the opinion that we were sur- 
rounded by our own troops, mistaking us for Confed- 



104 Histonj of the [1863 

erates. To settle this, Lieut. J. Hamilton Bell rode 
direct to tlie front, and in a loud but inquisitive voice 
demanded, "Who are you, anywajV^ "Third Vir- 
ginia," was answered by several voices, "Oh! I 
thought so, ' ' replied the Lieutenant, who, turning, gal- 
loped back. We have alwa^^s thought there must have 
been a doubt in the minds of the Confederates, for 
they did not instantly fire on the retreating Lieutenant. 
' ' Colonel, there is no doubt, it is the enemy, ' ' reported 
Bell. By this time it was so dark that a uniform could 
not be distinguished over thirty feet away. Now that 
all doubt was removed, the men began to taunt the 
Confederates to "come out and give us a square 
fight." Language was used not found in Sunday 
school text-books. 

As if in answer to our taunts, the Confederates 
sounded the cliarge, and clear above the clatter of 
hoofs and arms could be heard the terror-striking 
"rebel yell." On came the Fifth Virginia Cavalry to 
the gate, where they were met with such a fusilade as 
to compel them to retire. The taunts were resumed 
and language grew stronger. "Let us at them, Col- 
onel." "To hell with the Johnnies," etc., etc. Again 
we could distinctly hear the bugles sound "charge," 
and we could as distinct^ hear the officers urging on 
their men. The charge did not materialize, which 
caused our troops to taunt the Confederates with cow- 
ardice. No soldier, be he Federal or Confederate, 
could tamely submit to this, and with a yell and dash 
they came for us in gallant style. No orders could be 
heard, but our lines remained true while our carbines 
were plied with a will. On came the Third Virginia 
Cavalry through the opening where we had entered, 
but it was more than human courage could stand, and 
again they were compelled to retire in disorder. 




MAP OF ALSOP'S. 

Furnished by Gen. Thomas T. Munford. •2d Va. Cav. 

Note " D " added by Adj. Easton, (itli N. Y. Cav. 



1863] Sivth New York Cavabfj. 105 

McVicar concluded that no matter what the outcome 
of these charges should be, to remain where we were 
would result in surrender. "Adjutant, go down the 
rear line and order the men to take nothing but the 
sabre." Before I could return from the end of our 
line McVicar closed the ranks, then ordered "Right 
forward, fours right," and rising in his saddle, with 
sabre uj^lifted, exclaimed, at the top of his voice, 
"Sixth New York, follow me. Charge!" 

Instantly the bugles sounded loud and clear. Like 
a catapult the column thundered forward, and now, 
with a definite purpose, gave vent to soul-stirring 
"hurrahs" that thundered and reverberated through 
those old Virginia pines. 

Scarce seventy feet from the gate our beloved 
Lieutenant-colonel, the gallant Duncan J\I(Yicar, fell, 
shot through the heart. 

Capt. W. L. Heermance was now in command, but 
only for a very few minutes, for he, too, was wounded 
and unhorsed. 

The charge, nevertheless, continued on and did not 
stop until we struck the Confederates at the fork of 
the roads "B," and drove them back on road leading 
to Todd's Tavern marked "C." Here it became neces- 
sary for orders as to which road we were to take. Fol- 
low the Confederates towards Todd's Tavern, or take 
the right for Chancellorsville! 

The men called for orders. Lieutenant Bell and 
myself were the only officers present at that time at 
the fork of the roads, and neither of us felt justified in 
assuming command. In vain we called for a superior 
officer. It was then decided to form the men in line, 
rights resting on road to Chancellorsville. 



106 Histoiij of the [1863 

In the meantime, I had sent a man to the rear to 
bring up the senior captain, or any other officer he 
could find. Captain Van Buren reports that the 
orderly did not find him, but, anxious to learn what 
caused the delay, had come on of his own accord. 
Arriving- at the partly cleared fork of the road, he 
seemed to take in the situation at a glance. Riding to 
the front of the line he ordered "fours right, charge, 
and yell like hell!" Captain Van Buren reports hav- 
ing found many Confederates on this road who fled 
before him and took the left-hand road farther on lead- 
ing to Todd's Tavern. Captain Van Buren returned 
to Chancellorsville with the larger portion of the regi- 
ment, and during the night many stragglers arrived. 
Next morning Captain Beardsley returned with about 
fifty men. 

From the gate at Alsop's Field to the fork of the 
roads is just one-half mile. The road was narrow and 
flanked with pine trees. The column was necessaril}^ 
spread out, and when we delayed at the forks to 
reform the men, the last of the regiment had not left 
Alsop's Field. This gave Col. Thomas T. Munford, 
commanding the Second Virginia Cavalry, his oppor- 
tunity. He charged at once, cut off and demoralized 
those of our men still in the field, thus dividing our 
forces. Just all that occurred at this time may never 
be known. There were many personal experiences of 
men who reported at Chancellorsville next morning, 
the most notable being that of C^aptain Beardsley, who, 
as second in command, was in the rear. He escaped 
with a few men, and guided by a colored man returned 
next morning after having collected several of our 
stragglers on his journey back. 



1SG3] Sixth New York Cavah-y. 107 

To tlie credit of our common maulioocl, let me record 
that the Confederates, recognizing the valor of Dun- 
can McVicar in his desperate situation, paid every 
respect to his remains. His body was conveyed to a 
house near by and tenderly cared for, Mr, Alsop's 
son, then a boy of fourteen years, assisted in this. 
General Fitzhugh Lee sent the Rev, Dabney Ball, 
chaplain of the First Virginia Cavalry, who prayed 
over the remains of our gaUant McVicar. It has also 
l)een said that Gen. J. E. B. Stuart patted the fore- 
head of the Colonel and said, "Brave man, brave man." 

After Chancellorsville, under a flag of truce from 
the Confederates, we were permitted to regain the 
body of our beloved commander. 

For such actions, our hearts go out to those same 
rebels who fought for what they deemed their rights. 
The war is long since over. Why could ire not have 
knoirn each other soonerf 

In fulfillment of promise made to Gen. Thomas T. 
Munf ord, my report of the engagement was forwarded 
to him for criticism. In return I received the follow- 
ing letter : 

Oakland Plantation (near Uniontown), Ala., 

April 26th, 1908. 
Ad.jt. F. a. Easton. 

Isiy dear Sir : Your very interesting paper has real merit, 
but I think the gist of the story is omitted. Major Von Border 
of Stuart's staff, who was a sort of ''factotum" of Stuart's 
military family, tells the story in Blackwood's Magazine as 
he saw it. He describes Stuart and himself riding quietly 
in the road, when suddenly they met your regiment — and 
tlie cJiase it gave tliem, and their narrow escape from cap- 
ture. It was then that Stuart got back to Fitz Lee's head- 



108 History of the [18G3 

quarters and called for the Fifth Virginia Cavalry under 
Colonel Tyler, and sent them back to meet Colonel McVicar 
in Alsop's Field. You should embody that episode in j'our 
paper. Von Borcke's papers are in the librai-y at Richmond. 
You can get them copied, or that part of the story. 

When my regiment started for Spottsylvania Court-house 
(the night of the fight) with the prisoners, Colonel Drake of 
the First Virginia Cavalry was sent on road starting at 
"A-C-B" for Spottsylvania Court-house. I was started for 
same point over "A-A-B." When my rear guard left "B." 
Drake's advance guard arrived there; but a patrol or scout 
of your regiment dashed by and exchanged shots, and it 
caused almost a panic. See Von Borcke's statement. Some of 
your men had gone ahead, or were scattered, and, nearing us, 
challenged. Shots were exchanged. Drake had no idea that 
the road he was traveling re-entered the road over which I 
was moving. It was supposed that he and I would be on 
parallel roads. Drake's advance guard collided with my rear 
guard. Von Borcke's horse was killed in the skirmish. As it 
was night and in the woods, it was a scene long to be remem- 
bered or never to be forgotten. Ugly is the word. I felt the 
responsibility of the prisoners, and the whole thing was a 
surprise. 

Yours sincerely, 

(Signed) Thomas T. IMunford. 

Major Heros von Boreke, of Gren, J. E. B. Stuart's 
staff, in Blackwood's Magazine in 1866 thus describes 
our charge : 

''We had been riding for some time silently through 
the forest, whose darkness was only relieved by occa- 
sional glimpses of the new moon, when suddenly a 
pistol-shot was heard a few hundred yards ahead of 
us, and presently the courier hurried back to us, 



1S()3J Sixth New York Cavalry. 109 

reporting, in tlie most excited manner, that lie had 
been fired at by a Yankee cavalry picket stationed 
only a short distance from us in the road. Stuart, 
perfectly convinced that the courier was deceived, and 
had taken some of our own men for the enemy, 
requested me to ride ahead and investigate the matter. 
Accompanied by Major Terrill of our staff I pricked 
forward and soon discovered a body of thirty horse- 
men before us, who, in their light blue overcoats, just 
discernible by the feeble light of the moon, looked 
most decidedly like Federals. To make quite sure, 
however, we api:>roached to within about fifty yards, 
and I then called out and asked them to what regiment 
they belonged. 'You shall see that soon enough, you 

d d rebels,' was the answer, and at the same 

moment the whole party came full gallop towards us. 
Firing our revolvers at the charging foe, we quickly 
turned our horses' heads and rode as fast as our 
steeds would carry us to the rear, followed by our 
pursuers shouting and firing after us to their hearts' 
content. Resistance, when so completely outnumbered, 
would have been folly; and, accordingly, I had the 
pleasure of seeing our General, who had now lost all 
doubts as to the real character of these cavalrymen, 
for once run from the enemy. The Yankees soon 
slackened their pace, however, and at last gave up the 
chase altogether, when we halted, and General Stuart 
dispatched Captain AVhite of our staff to Fitz Lee, 
with the order to send on one of his regiments as 
quickly as possible, and to follow slowly himself with 
the remainder of his brigade. 

"After an anxious half hour the regiment came 
up and we had the satisfaction of turning the 
tables on our pursuers and driving them before 



110 Histonj of the [1863 

us as rapidly as we had fled before them. 
The feeble light of the moon was now nearly extin- 
guished by the clouds scudding rapidly across the sky. 
General Stuart and his staff were trotting along at the 
head of the column, when, at the moment of emerging 
out of the dark forest, we suddenly discovered in the 
open field before us, and at a distance of not more 
than 160 yards, the long lines of several regiments of 
hostile cavalry, who received us with a severe fire, 
which, concentrated on the narrow road, in a few 
moments killed and wounded a large number of our 
men and horses, causing considerable confusion in our 
ranks, and speedily checking our onward movement. 
Fulh" conscious of our critical position, Stuart drew 
his sword, and, raising his clear ringing voice, gave 
the order to attack, taking the lead himself. For once 
our horsemen refused to follow their gallant com- 
mander; they wavered under the thick storm of bul- 
lets ; soon all discipline ceased, and in a few minutes 
the greater part of this splendid regiment, which had 
distinguished itself in so many battle-fields, broke to 
the rear in utter confusion. In vain did the General, 
myself and the other members of the staff do our 
utmost to restore order ; we only succeeded in rallying 
about thirty men round us. At this moment the 
enemy's bugle sounded the charge; and a few seconds 
after we brunted the shock of the attack, which broke 
upon us like a thunder-cloud, and bore our little band 
along with its vehement rush as driven by a mighty 
wave, sweeping us along with it into the darkness of 
the forest. And now ensued a wild, exciting chase, in 
which friend and foe, unable to recognize each other, 
mingled helter-skelter in one furious ride. I cannot 
describe the sensation that came over me as, feeling 



1863] Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. Ill 

assured that everything was now lost, T tightly 
grasped the hilt of my sword, resolved to sell my life 
as dearly as possible. Relying merely on the instinct 
of their horses, most of the men followed the straight 
road by which we had come, but I and a number of 
others turned off into a small by-road to the left. Here 
I discovered by the gleams of the moonlight, which 
now broke out more brightly, that those immediately 
round me were friends, but every effort to stop and 
rally them was in vain. 'The Yankees are close 
behind; we must run for our lives,' was all the answer 
I received to my appeals ; and on went the hopeless 
stampede more furiously than before. A tremendous 
fence standing across our patli, too high for a leap, 
and only to be pulled down at the risk of dismomiting, 
seemed likely to bring our wild retreat to a stop; but 
by dint of rider pressing on rider, and horse plunging 
against horse, it at last yielded to the accumulated 
weight of the impetuous horsemen, and broke down 
with a loud crash, leaving the way open to the dis- 
orderly flight. Just as, at the end of a rapid ride of 
more than an liour through dense forest, I reached an 
open field, a rider, who had been close at my side for 
some time, startled me with the exclamation, 'Von, is 
that you :' ' in tones which, to my intense delight and 
relief, I recognized to be Stuart's, who had followed 
the same route as myself. We were soon joined by 
some other members of our staff, all of whom had 
wonderful escapes ; and by our united eif orts we at 
last succeeded in rallying some sixty of our men, 
whom we put in charge of one of their officers with 
orders to wait for further instructions. Meanwhile, 
we set off with the project of rejoining the rest of the 
brigade, which, in a dark night and through an un- 



112 History of the [1863 

known and forest-covered country, was a task of some 
difficnlty. On onr road we fell in with several of our 
former pursuers, who, being bewildered in the vast 
forest, now surrendered to us with little hesitation; 
two of these were captured by Stuart himself. At the 
end of an hour's tedious ride, we came upon Fitz Lee's 
column trotting onward to the field of action, whither 
the Second Virginia had already preceded them. On 
reaching the scene of our recent defeat we found that 
our brave fellows of the Second, led by their gallant 
Colonel, Munford, had come up just in time to protect 
their flying comrades, and had thrown themselves with 
such ardor on the Federals as to break their lines and 
scatter them in every direction; many killed and 
wounded being left on the field, and some eighty pris- 
oners and horses falling into our hands. As all 
seemed now over, Stuart ordered the troops to march 
on to Spottsylvania Court-house, and there encamp, the 
Second Virginia taking the lead, and the prisoners 
and remaining regiments following. We were quietly 
marching along with the advanced guard, chatting 
over the incidents of the evening, when several shots 
suddenly sounded on our left, followed by brisk firing 
in our rear. Immediately cries of 'The Yankees are 
on us ! ' ' The Yankees are charging ! ' broke out 
from our column; sabres flew out of their scabbards, 
revolvers from their holsters, and everybody seemed 
on fire to oppose the enemy, without exactly knowing 
in what direction to look for him. The scene of con- 
fusion which ensued is not to be described; firearms 
exploded in all directions, bullets traversed the air 
from all quarters, and, for want of a visible foe, friend 
seemed likely to come into collision with friend. Gen- 
eral Stuart and several others, including myself, did 



1863] Sixth New York Cavalnj. 113 

our utmost to quell tlie disorder, but our voices were 
drowued in the general hubbub. Suddenly a fresh 
cry of 'Here are the Yankees; here they come!' broke 
out from the men around me as they fired off their 
revolvers into the bushes to the right. Calling on 
them to follow I spurred my horse forward in the 
same direction, when, at the same moment, I was met 
by a rider galloping towards me, who levelled a shot 
at me so close, the bullet passing through my hat, that 
I was completely blinded. Before I had quite recov- 
ered and could deliver my thrust, my adversary lost 
no time in firing his second shot, which entered the 
head of my brave bay, and stretched us both on the 
ground, myself under the horse. Luckily, however, I 
was able to disengage myself from the superincumbent 
weight of the dying animal; and, .jumping up to look 
after my assailant, found that, fortunately for me, he 
had disappeared without waiting to take advantage of 
my prostrate condition. Nevertheless, my position 
was a ticklish one still; the firing continued in all 
directions around me, and our men were galloping 
about in wild excitement, some calling on me to save 
myself, as the woods were full of Federals. As I did 
not much fancy leaving my saddle and bridle a spoil to 
the enemy, I had managed to detach the precious 
articles from my dead steed, when one of our couriers 
rode up to me, leading a Yankee horse which he had 
caught for me as it was running about riderless. It 
was an odd-looking, stumpy-legged little pony; and 
when mounted on it, my legs dangling nearly to the 
ground, my large English hunting-saddle covering the 
pony's neck, and leaving his ears only sticking out, I 
must have jjresented a remarkable figure, especially as 
the little beast was in such a state of excitement, 

8 



114 History of the [1863 

plunging and snorting wildly, that I had some trouble 
in keeping my seat. At last, with no little difficulty, I 
succeeded in finding Stuart again, who, in the midst of 
his ill humor and dissatisfaction at the behavior of his 
men, was unable to resist the ludicrous effect of my 
appearance. He now told me that discipline and 
order had at last been re-established, and that the 
whole rout had been caused by less than a hundred of 
the enemy's cavalry dispersed in the woods by the 
charge of the Second Virginia, and who, in the dark- 
ness, had been taken for a much larger force. He 
added that our men had mistaken each other for 
enemies, and that two of our regiments, the First and 
Third Virginia, under this mutual delusion, had 
charged through each other in a splendid attack before 
they discovered their error, which was fortunately 
attended with no worse consequences than a few sabre- 
cuts. All this was a lesson how dangerous night 
attacks always are, and taught me that, whenever pos- 
sible, they should be avoided. ' ' 

LETTER FROM GEN. THOS. T. MUNFORD, 

C. S. A., RELATIVE TO ENGAGEMENT 

OF APRIL 30, 1863. 

Oakland Plantation, near Uniontown, Ala., 

Dec. 30, 1906. 

Adjt. Fergus A. Easton, President Volunteer Association, 
Sixth New York Cavalrj^ 
My dear Sir : Your letter of December 26th was f orvvarded 
to me out here on the Plantation near Uniontown, Alabama. 
I am very much obliged for the compliment you pay me in 
asking for my recollections of our Night Fight at Alsop's 
Crossroads in Spottsylvania County with the gallant Sixth 
New York Cavalry. 



1863] Sixth New York Cavalrij. 115 

You are well aware that it has been a long time since we 
clashed in that dreary woods, but there are times, scenes and 
occasions that are so deeply photographed in our hearts and 
brain that will never be forgotten, and the "Night Fight" 
may well be stamped as just such as was calculated to make 
an impression. The w^ar is over with the true soldiers of the 
Blue or Grey. It was a family fight, and now that the scars 
are all that are left, we can well afford to do justice to the 
spirit and gallantry of either side. There is glory enough 
for all. 

I am 700 miles from my home, and have no papers, books 
or record from which to refresh my memory. General Hooker 
endeavored to flank General Lee, whose main force was near 
Fredericksburg, but General Lee's cavalry under Gen. Jeb 
Stuart was mostly extended from Culpeper C. H. to Fred- 
ericksburg, picketing and watching on the river the move- 
ments of General Hooker; both armies had been resting in 
winter quarters. As soon as Stuart became aware of the 
fact that Hooker "'was afield," he hastened with the Second 
Brigade, then Fitz Lee's, composed of the First, Second, 
Third, Fourth and Fifth Virginia Cavalry, to ascertain what 
he was doing (the Fourth Virginia Cavalry was, however, 
detached and was serving as a picket regiment below Chan- 
cellorsville). General Hooker, it seems, had dispatched Sixth 
New York Cavalry on a reconnoissance in the direction of 
Alsop's Crossroads in advance of his infantry. General 
Stuart encountered Hooker's infantry, to ascertain who was 
there, and after a good deal of heavy skirmishing, withdrew 
and moved, as he thought, by a road which would enable 
him to pass on and evade further contact. Fitz Lee's bri- 
gade, having been actively engaged marching and sldrmishing 
all day, stopped to refresh themselves, and were expected to 
follow General Stuart, who, with his dashing staff accompany- 
ing him, had pushed on ahead of us. Being a bold, self- 
reliant, dashing horseman, he led the way, with only a hand- 
ful of couriers, when suddenly he stumbled upon the ad- 



116 Histonj of the [1863 

vance guard of Sixth New York Cavalry, and he was so care- 
less that he liked to have ridden into them unaware of their 
presence. He wheeled, but it became a matter of "legs" be- 
tween their horses, and with gTeat difficulty he extricated 
himself. (I have not ]\Iajor Heros Von Borcke's diary here. 
He was riding with General Stuart, being his Aid and Inspec- 
tor-general, and he tells the full story of the race General 
Stuart and himself had, which is very amusing, and of the 
narrowness of their escape.) 

Coming back to Fitz Lee's brigade, he called for the lead- 
ing regiment, which happened to be Fifth Virginia Cavalry 
(commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Tyler of the "Regular 
Confederate Cavalry," temporarily assigned to command the 
Fifth). They moved up with alacrity and in a very short 
time encountered the Sixth New York Cavalry. They went 
in as usual with a dash, but were hurled back, bleeding and 
with considerable loss; meantime the rest of the command 
had moved up. General Stuart seemed greatly worried and 
ordered the next regiment to move in and renew the attack. 
This was the Third Virginia Cavalry. In they dashed, but 
back they came, having suffered quite as severely. Much 
time had elapsed while this fighting was going on ; the sun 
had disappeared and General Stuart was still held at arms 
length. 

During the time that this fighting was going on, the gal- 
lant Colonel of the Sixth New York Cavalry had been killed, 
and still they held the road and blocked the way, which made 
it impossible for Stuart to pass and to communicate what 
was most important for General Lee to know, who was in 
his rear. Stuart was his Chief of Cavalry and upon him 
Gen. R. E. Lee relied for information on the outposts. 

It was now quite dark when my regiment. Second Vir- 
ginia Cavalry, was ordered to take the road, and open it if 
possible. General Stuart informed me personally of the 
importance of his reporting in person to General R. E. Lee, 
and urged me to open the way. It was a serious matter to 



1863] Sixth New York Cavalry. 117 

stand as "\ve had done and see two good regiments go in cheer- 
fully and come out bloody and wounded, leaving their dead. 
These troops could give us no definite information ; this we 
knew: they had been whipped back, and I do not hesitate to 
say it was an impressive scene and occasion. "The whip- 
poor-wills and the screech owls" made the piney woods ring 
with their songs and hooting and nothing more. 

]\Iy regiment was strong in numbers, and in good plight, 
Init a cavalry regiment mounted in a narrow road, thickly 
flanked with pine trees, had a poor show at an enemy flushed 
with victory and success, though at a heavy cost. They had 
whipped t^vo good regiments. This made it an uninviting 
anticipation for "glory" for ns. AA''e were soldiers, and the 
order was accepted in the spirit it was given. By my order, 
word was passed along the column that absolute silence M'as 
to be preserved, that each squadron was to be kept well closed 
up and under no circumstances were firearms to be used; 
each squadron was to charge in succession, each giving the full 
yell, and it mattered not Avhat was in the road, in advance, 
the following squadron was to deliver its charge. The ad- 
vance guard was especially selected to locate the enemy's 
picket, and when discovered, the charge would be soimded. 

We moved in promptly; the road was sandy and nothing 
but the click of a scabbard or the snorting of the dust from 
the horses' noses would indicate that 500 mounted men were 
again advancing against an unknowTi force as to numbers. 

The Sixth New York, after a most determined and gallant 
fight, throwing two good regiments back, had made a gallant 
defense of a strategic point of great importance, for Gen. R. 
E. Lee relied upon Stuart implicitly as a guard to his rear. 
The Sixth New York, however, had sustained a heaw^" blow 
in the death of its brave Commander (Sir Walter Scott im- 
mortalized the McVicars and McGregors). Colonel McVicar 
was now stretched gut dead, at the Alsop house, killed or 
mortally wounded, by which of the two regiments we never 
knew. His successor had withdraA\ni his regiment, leaving a 



118 History of the [1863 

squadron under as gallant a soldier as I ever met with on the 
Northern side, Capt. William L. Heermance. They had barri- 
caded the road with fence rails and were preparing to go into 
camp on picket, when the head of my regiment closed in 
upon their vidette on the outpost. His shrill, distinct "Yan- 
kee voice" called out to us, "Who comes there? Who comes 
there?" and bang rang his carbine, the bullet whistling over 
the head of my column. The charge was sounded and he was 
pressed from the start to the finish, each squadron taking up 
the yell successively, and the very woods seemed to be alive. 
Without losing a man, we captured fifty-one of Captain Heer- 
mance 's picket and opened the way for Stuart. 

Learning that the body of Colonel IMcViear was at the 
Alsop house, I rode there, to find him — 

"After life's fitful fever he sleeps" well, for 
"He lay like a warrior taking his rest, 
With his martial cloak around him." 

We had not time to delay, but were hurried on with Gen- 
eral Stuart, accompanied by Captain Heermance and his 
men as prisoners. The bearing of the gallant Heermance im- 
pressed me most favorably. We seemed to have taken a 
mutual fancy for each other, for in after years he wrote me 
a letter, and when on a visit to New York, we became friends 
and continued so to his death. He was a soldier and a gentle- 
man worthy of his command. 

A curious fact occurred during the night of this fight. A 
scouting party of the Sixth New York, returning to join its 
regiment, ran into the First Virginia Cavalry accidentally, 
which was following in our rear, and a panic like to have 
occurred, as sharp firing was heard in our rear, which was at 
first supposed to be a rescuing party. After some firing be- 
tween First and Second Regiments, quiet Avas restored, and 
we pressed on to join Gen. R. E. Lee. 

The next night orders were received from headquarters of 
the army for Second Regiment of Cavalry to report to Gen. 



1863] Sixth New York Cavalry. 119 

"Stonewall" Jackson, and we all reported to him. We led 
his advance every step of the way until his line of battle was 
formed, Avhen, by his direction, I took post on the left of 
Iverson's infantry brigade (Eighth North Carolina troops) 
and pressed toward Ellis' Ford en route. We captured ten 
splendid slaughtered cattle for Howard's corps, any other 
statement to the contrary notwdthstanding. 

In closing this poor description of what came under my 
personal observation, it affords me great pleasure to add, if 
it was not Duncan McVicar, it was Fergus A. Easton, his 
Adjutant and executive officer, who represented him in carry- 
ing out the orders which gave General Stuart so much trouble. 

Very respectfully, 
(Signed) T. T. Munford. 

Headquarters First CxWAlry Division, 
Army of Potomac, May 10th, 1863. 
General Orders No. 27. 

The General commanding takes this occasion to commend 
the conduct of the Second Brigade and jMartin's Sixth Inde- 
pendent New York Battery in the late engagement near 
Chancellorsville. 

The distinguished gallantry of the Eighth Pennsylvania 
Regiment in charging the head of the enemy's column, ad- 
vancing on the Eleventh Corps on the evening of the 2d 
inst. ; the heroism of the Sixth New York Regiment in cut- 
ting its way back to our own lines through treble its force 
of the enemy's cavalry on the 1st inst.. and the coolness 
displayed by the Seventeenth Pennsylvania Regiment in rally- 
ing fugitives and supporting the batteries (including Mar- 
tin's) wliich repulsed the enemy's attack under Jackson on 
the evening of the 2d inst., have excited the' highest admira- 
tion. 

These noble feats of arms recall the glorious days of Mid- 
dletown, Boonsboro, Antietam, Martinsburg, Upperville, Bar- 
ber's and Amosville, where the First Brigade shared with us 



120 History of the [18G3 

the triumphs of victory, and they will now, while exulting in 
this success, join in sorrow for the brave who have fallen. 

The g-allant IMcVicar, the generous, chivalric Keeuan, with 
150 killed and wounded from your small nimibers, attest to 
the terrible earnestness that animated the midnight conflict 
of the 2d of jNIay. 

A. Pleasanton, 
Brigadier-general Commanding. 

Comrades : 

After several trips South and much correspondence, I have 
gleaned the foregoing facts and reports. There may be 
errors and omissions. If so, forgive me. They are not inten- 
tional. The only excuse for this detailed account lies in the 
fact that the engagement and its results were as much a sur- 
prise to us as to our friends, the enemy. The event stands 
unique in the history of cavalry. Fought by early moonlight 
tintil nearly mklniglit by forces unknown to either side. Our 
gallant McVicar had often expressed the wish that, should he 
fall, it would be in charging Stuart. He had his wish. We 
shall never forget the ringing cheers which folloAved his 
"Sixth New York, follow me. Charge!" 

Eespectfully submitted, 

Fergus A. Easton, 
Formerly Adjutant Sixth New York Cavalry. 

May 1st. — The Battle of Chancellorsville com- 
menced early in the morning and raged in all its fnry 
thronghont the day. Division headquarters moved at 
daylight from Hartwood Church to near Ely's Ford, 
and was ordered to the front. During the early hours 
of the day quite a number of the men, having escaped 
from Lee's cavalry, found their way through the 
woods from Nye Eiver and rejoined the regiment. 
With the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry and Battery 



18G3] Sii'tJi Neic York Cavalry. 121 

K, Sixth New York Artillery, the regiment bivouacked 
at night near Chaneellorsville. 

May 2d. — The regiment remained in bivouac, 
saddled and in line, until 2 i).m., and was then ordered 
to the front, the fighting on the left being very severe, 
with the enemy falling back. In the afternoon Pleas- 
anton was ordered to the right with Sickles, the enemy 
having changed position to our right flank and made 
an attack on the Eleventh Corps under General How- 
ard, and pressing it back about five o 'clock threw it in 
great confusion. 

Although this is a record of the Sixth New York 
Cavalry, I beg leave to step aside for a moment and 
pay a tribute to another part of our (Second) brigade 
— the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry. On the evening 
of the 2d of May, just before dark, while the 
Eleventh Corps was in that unfortunate and fright- 
fully demoralized condition, and while Greneral Pleas- 
anton was endeavoring to get some abandoned guns in 
position to meet the attack of the rapidly advancing 
column of "Stonewall" Jackson's veteran troops, the 
quick eye of the trained soldier told the G-eneral that 
the result of the coming struggle depended on a few 
more minutes' time — the enemy must be checked to 
enable those guns to get into position; a blunder had 
been made, some one must be sacrificed or the defeat 
would be greater. There stood that squadron of the 
Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, with Major Keenan at 
its head ; the order was given for that handful of men 
to charge the flower- division of the enemy's army. 
With firm seat, tightly gripped rein and sabre, with 
compressed lips and stern faces, without a moment's 
hesitation, the Major, with his 150 followers, dashed 
forward to death and to victorii, for the advancing foe 



122 History of the [18(33 

was checked momentarily. The guns were in position 
and ready, the enemy again advanced and attacked, 
bnt was met by such a tremendous fire of shot and 
shell that Jackson's troops were defeated and the 
Army of the Potomac was saved. The fighting kept 
up until midnight, the artillery playing from both 
sides, making the night grand and exciting — bombs 
exploding in the air, like rockets — the flashing of can- 
non illuminating the horizon — the cheering of troops 
— the shrieking of shot and shell — the scene was in- 
describable. We lay to arms on the field all night. 

May 3d. — The battle commenced at 5 a.m. with tre- 
mendous cannonading and musketry, and until eleven 
o'clock raged with terrific fury. The Sixth New York, 
being near Greneral Hooker's headquarters, was under 
heavy fire of shot and bullets and a number of the men 
and horses were wounded. At nine o'clock, when all 
the hells of battle seemed let loose on both sides, a 
shell struck and burst near General Hooker, shocking 
him, but from which he quickly recovered. Jackson's 
large force on the right (outnumbering ours) met with 
terrible loss under the raking of the artillery. A large 
brick house, used at the time as a hospital, was set on 
fire by the enemy's shells, and many of the wounded 
were burned before they could be removed. The 
fighting abated somewhat in the afternoon. At night 
the regiment bivouacked near AVhite House. 

May 4th. — The fighting was resumed, but not so 
fiercely. The Irish Brigade charged and routed a 
rebel brigade. In the afternoon General Hooker 
removed his headquarters in the direction of U. S. 
Ford. Division headquarters was at U. S. Ford and 
was shelled by the rebel batteries on the opposite side 
of the river. The Eighth and Seventeenth Pennsylva- 



1863] Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 123 

nia Cavalry were encamped near by. The loss in the 
regiment during the battle was about seventy. 

May 5tli. — At 3.30 a.m. the Sixth New York crossed 
the river, receiving the fire from the rebel batteries, 
and marched to Falmouth, arriving at ten o'clock, 
and took a position in a ravine opposite Fredericks- 
burg. All of General Stoneman's cavalry was in that 
vicinity. 

The Second Brigade had won for itself a high repu- 
tation during the engagements and had been compli- 
mented by the commanding generals as having per- 
formed extraordinary service, showing its efficiency 
and good discipline. In the evening a heavy rain- 
storm came up, accompanied by loud thunder, fierce 
lightning and driving wind, ending in a terrific ' ' north- 
easter." 

May 6th, — It was still raining very hard, causing 
much suffering in the army which had recrossed the 
river and fallen back to Falmouth. Fredericksburg 
and the heights were again in the hands of the enemy, 
our forces having been too meagre to hold them 
against Longstreet's superior numbers. 

May 7tli. — The rain continued. President Lincoln 
and General Halleck were at General Hooker's head- 
quarters. The Sixth New York moved to its former 
camp near Potomac Bridge, arriving at 3 p.m. Gen- 
eral Stoneman and a large force of cavalry had gone 
on an expedition. General Gregg had a brigade of 
cavalry on the Peninsula. Troop I, Sixth New 
York, was detailed to guard the forage near the depot. 
One squadron of the regiment was detailed with Gen- 
eral Sickles. 

Companies F and H took transports from Yorktown 
to West Point, arriving about noon; were fired upon 



124 Historij of the [1863 

by a party of rebel cavalry. The squadron charged 
and drove the enemy into the woods. Lieutenant Cro- 
zier, commanding Company F, was killed. Several 
horses were killed and several wounded. Continued 
the march to White House. 

May 8th. — Was cold and rainy. The army was 
again under marching orders. The Sixth New York 
was ordered to move in the morning, with three days' 
cooked rations. 

Troops F and H destroyed some of the enemy's 
stores at White House and then returned to West 
Point. 

May 10th. — The loss of men, in killed, wounded and 
missing, in the army at Chancellorsville and Rappa- 
hannock was very great, but it did not lose a wagon, 
and after recrossing the river it had one more cannon 
than it had when it started on the campaign. 

Ma}^ 11th. — All but two squadrons of the regiment 
were on detached service. 

May 12th. — The weather was clear. The report 
was received in camp that "Stonewall" Jackson had 
died from the wound received at Chancellorsville. 

May 14th. — Cold and stormy. The regiment was 
about five miles from Ellis' Ford, and suffering very 
much from the wood-ticks. 

May 15th. — The, Sixth New York moved to Morris- 
ville, about six miles from Kelly's Ford. 

May 16th. — Troops I and M (Captain Van 
Buren) went to King George C. H. for picket dut3\ 
Part of the regiment went to Aquia Landing for new 
horses. This part of the country was infested with 
bushwhackers and guerrillas; farmers by day, but 
bushwhackers and guerrillas at night. 



[1863 Sixth New York Cavalry. 125 

May 17tli. — The regiment moved to near Falmouth. 
Some of the men who had been captured, having been 
exchanged, returned to the regiment. 

May 19th. — Clear. The regiment was on picket. 
General Hancock's report of ]\Iay 19tli on Chancellors- 
ville contains this: "The following of my orderlies 
were much exposed and deserve mention for their 
good conduct during the action: Sergt, Owen McKen- 
zie, Corp. Thomas Watson, Privates James AVells, 
Alvin Stearns (wounded), John Gallinger and Donald 
O'Kourke (horse killed), all of Company K, Sixth 
New York Cavalry, and Privates Andrew Boudreau 
and Henry McEnro of Company D, Sixth New 
York Cavalry." 

May 20th. — Clear. The chaplain and Captain Eller- 
beck took the body of Lieutenant-colonel McVicar to 
Potomac Creek Station, from which place it was con- 
veyed to Rochester, N. Y., where his family resided. 
The body was embalmed at Falmouth, and appeared 
quite natural. The chaplain and Captain accompanied 
the remains to the place of interment. 

May 21st. — The weather was very warm. During 
General Stoneman's absence on leave. General Pleas- 
anton was in command of the Cavalry Corps, and Col- 
onel Devin was in command of the division. The 
Sixth New York moved camp toward Aquia Creek, 
two miles below Brooks' Station, and near Potomac 
Creek. 

May 22d. — Brigadier-general Pleasanton was placed 
in command of the Cavalry Corps. The enemy was 
busily engaged in digging rifle-pits and building earth- 
works opposite our picket-lines. 

May 30th. — Warm and sciually. Lee threatened 
another invasion northward; his army was moving 
toward Culpeper. 



126 History of the [1863 

June 1st. — Tlie regiment was on picket, with plenty 
of snakes for company; tliey vied with the "John- 
nies" in supplying a diversion to the tedious monot- 
ony of picket duty. There were strawberries in abun- 
dance, but alack and alas, they had to be eaten without 
cream or sugar. 

June 2d. — Eain. Mosquitoes and gnats were in evi- 
dence. Between the rain, rebels, snakes, gnats and 
mosquitoes the "boys" had no trouble in keeping 
awake ; the ennui was pronounced ; many of the expres- 
sions were more i^orcible than elegant; but still the 
uninvited guests remained and by their persistent 
attentions succeeded in keeping the weary vidette 
from sleeping on his post ( or an3^where else) . 

June 3d. — Still raining and still on picket at King 
George C. H. 

June 4th. — Companies F and H went to Mulberry 
Island and destroyed a number of small boats belong- 
ing to the enemy. 

June 5tli. — Heav}^ firing was heard in the direction 
of Falmouth in the evening. General Hooker, having 
learned that Lee was moving his army, had sent a 
division of the Sixth Corps across near Fredericks- 
burg to learn what force was there, and found that A. 
P. Hill's (Confederate) Corps had been left to hold 
that position. 

June 6th. — The regiment moved back to Brooks' 
Station. At 5 p.m. the division, with two batteries, 
under command of Gen. John Buford, started on a 
raid across the river. Halted for the night near Hart- 
wood Church. 

June 7th. — Reveille at two o'clock. Formed line at 
three o'clock and marched to Catlett's Station, arriv- 
ing at 5 p.m. and bivouacked. 



18G3] Sixth Neiv Fork Cavalry. 127 

June 8tli. — Left Catlett's at 5 p.m. and marclied by 
the railroad to Rappahannock Station; Buford moved 
two miles up the stream, and bivouacked, after mid- 
night, in the woods near Beverly Ford. No fires were 
permitted at night, the men standing "to horse," 
noiseless and alert. Gregg's division had moved to 
Kelly's Ford, several miles below. 

June 9th. — The regiment turned out about three 
o'clock and moved toward Beverly Ford; skirmishing 
commenced about sunrise. At five o'clock the division 
crossed the river at the ford. The First Brigade took 
the lead and made several charges, in the first one of 
which Colonel Davis (f), Eighth New York Cavalry 
(commanding the division), was mortally wounded, 
and was succeeded in command by Col. Thomas C. 
Devin of the Sixth New York Cavalry, General Buford 
being in command of the right wing. The command 
was ordered by General Pleasanton to "hold every 
inch." The advance met the rebel cavalry, dis- 
mounted, a half mile south of the river. The Sixth 
New York was ordered forward, and, dismounting, 
fought a superior number of the enemy for five hours, 
when, about noon, the enemy retreating, it followed 
them up closely and chased them back about three 
miles, until, coming upon heavy reinforcements of 
cavalry, and Longstreet's corps of infantry, the com- 
mand was forced to withdraw and recross the river. 
Then began the retreat of our cavalry under Generals 
Buford and Gregg (the latter having fought his way 
up from Kelly's Ford about noon), all subject to Gen- 
eral Pleasanton 's orders, the Sixth New York being the 
last regiment to recross the river, and covered the 
retreat. It was a very hot day and very hard fighting. 
Colonel Devin 's horse was shot under him. Lieut. Wil- 



128 Histonj of the [1862 

liam W. Phillips, Company I, was mortally wounded 
and a number of the men wounded. In falling back the 
enemy did but little harm, comparatively — a few 
shells exploded above and about the column as it 
recrossed the river, which was accomplished at sunset. 
Stuart, with 14,000 cavalry, was driven back on his 
infantry by Pleasanton, with less numl^ers. Biv- 
ouacked for the night on the camp-ground of the 
Eighth. Our loss was very heavy — about 500, but 
the enemy's was greater. While part of the regiment 
was holding the ford, W. H. Bogart of Company A 
was wounded in the left arm. He was wounded in 
the left foot at Todd's Tavern. At Grettysburg his 
horse was killed. While on a scout from Camp Cul- 
peper, in a fight with White's guerrillas, he was again 
wounded in the left arm. In the Wilderness Campaign 
(May 6th, 1864), he was. wounded in the left breast; 
and again on the Trevilian raid (June 9th) was 
wounded in the left leg. At Berryville (Sept. 4th) his 
horse was shot and fell on him; a rebel secured his pis- 
tol, which lay beside him, and shot him in the side ; he 
was then taken to Libby Prison, where his weight was 
reduced from 165 to 95 pounds. And he still lives to 
tell the story, and to meet with his comrades every 
year at the reunions of the regimental association. 

June 10th. — Marched back at 8 a.m. to Catlett's Sta- 
tion. 

June lltli. — Inspection and review by General 
Pleasanton. 

June 12tli. — Some detached portions of the regi- 
ment rejoined it. 

June 13tli. — Lieut. J. H. Bell of Company I 
returned from Washington and brought sad news to 
the company and regiment. Lieutenant Phillips had 



1863] Sixth New York Cavalrij. 129 

died (on tlie 12tli) as a result of the wound and ampu- 
tation. "Brave fellow, we greatly mourned his 
departure and deeply felt his loss. Greatly did his 
company miss his welcome appearance among them, 
where he often joined with them in conversation. His 
duties were always faithfully discharged in the service 
of his country; ever vigilant, brave and kind." 
(Wells.) 

June 14th. — The command left Catlett's Station and 
marched to Rappahannock Station and picketed along 
the river, relieving the infantry, which was falling back 
toward Manassas, the cavalry to cover the movement. 

June 15tli. — The regiment was still picketing. Lee 
was moving to Maryland, part of his forces having 
already crossed the Potomac. At dark the videttes 
were withdrawn, and the cavalry marched to Bealeton, 
covering the rear of the army, but left Bealeton again 
about midnight, and after marching the remainder of 
the night, covering twenty-five miles, through inde- 
scribable clouds of dust, arrived, about noon of the 
16th, at Blackburn's Ford, Bull Run. 

June 17tli. — Left Bull Run at 11 a.m. and marched 
to Aldie, near Bull Run Mountains, distance eighteen 
miles. The First Brigade had a brush with Stuart's 
cavalry and was successful, although it suffered 
severely in killed and wounded. The Sixth New York 
made a reconnoissance to Haymarket, on the road 
between Warrenton and Thoroughfare Gap. 

June 18th. — Marched to Haymarket, opposite Thor- 
oughfare Gap in Bull Run Mountains, picketing the 
gap and Warrenton pike. At night the Ninth New 
York Cavalry came up to us from Catlett's Station. 

Captain Wales was injured by being thrown by his 

horse. 
9 



130 Historij of the [1863 

June 19th. — Still picketing in the gap and in the 
rain. A large force of Stuart's cavalry passed through 
Loudoun Valley, just beyond the mountains, between 
noon and five o'clock, headed toward White Plains. 
The First Brigade, Second Cavalry Division, came up 
at night. 

June 20th. — Part of the regiment went on a scout 
through Thoroughfare Gap, up in the mountains, and 
to Hopeville GajD. The regiment was relieved from 
picket b}^ Colonel Taylor's brigade, and left Haymar- 
ket and marched to Dover Mills, via Aldie, bivouack- 
ing in a clover meadow. Haymarket was a ruined 
fragment of a flourishing little town; it was fired in 
the previous summer by our cavalry, as the men were 
fired upon from the buildings ; there remained but one 
inhabited building. 

June 21st. — The regiment was ready to march at 
1.30 a.m.; decamped at 3.30 (a general move of the 
cavalry) and advanced, fighting all the way from Mid- 
dleburg to the Blue Ridge. At the foot of the moun- 
tains encountered a large force of rebel cavalry and a 
battery, and a short but hot engagement took place, 
resulting in a retreat of the enemy to the gap 
(Ashby's). The First Brigade charged the enemy 
and there were eleven dead rebels left on the field, 
among them one lieutenant-colonel. The Lieutenant- 
colonel of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry was wounded 
and captured, together with a number of his men. On 
the right General Gregg had a spirited fight, routing 
the enemy at all points, and capturing two pieces of 
artillery and a number of prisoners. At 6 p.m. the 
Sixth New York had a skirmish on the mountain-side 
and drove the enemy through Summit Gap. At sun- 
set fell back about a mile and encamped. The fight 



1863] Sixth New York Cavalrij. 131 

was not very serious to our side, although the shells 
and bullets were thick. 

June 22d. — Moved away from the mountain at 
8 a.m. and returned to Aldie, arriving there about 
noon; thence toward Snicker's Gap, about four miles. 
The enemy, following slowly, attempted to surprise 
our camp. At 2 p.m. were surprised to hear picket- 
firing close to camp, and soon learned the enemy was 
about to charge us. "Boots and saddles" sounded, and 
in a "jiffy" every man was mounted and ready for 
action. A few of our men were captured outside of 
camp. Captain Hanly, with a squadron of the Ninth 
New York Cavalry, drove about 100 of them back to 
their camp at Philomont. A few squadrons were sent 
out to feel the enemy and it was ascertained that Mid- 
dleburg, two miles away, was full of their cavalry. 
Skirmishing continued till late, when it ceased, the 
enemy withdrawing. Eemained in saddle until mid- 
night, and then, until morning, slept near a stone wall, 
with stones for pillows, and rested well, with pleasant 
dreams, part of the regiment picketing the road to 
Philomont. 

June 23d. — All quiet. Regiment was relieved from 
picket at 7 a.m. by the Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cav- 
alry, and marched to camp but a short distance from 
the picket-line. 

June 24th. — At 6 p.m. the regiment was ordered on 
a reconnoissance to Plamilton, nine miles distant, to 
ascertain what force of the enemy was there. Started 
at sunset, accompanied by the Ninth New York and a 
squadron of the Third West Virginia Cavalry, all 
commanded by Major Beardsley of the Sixth New 
York. Had three good guides to lead us through 
woods and ravines, over hills and dales, until finally 



132 History of the [1863 

we arrived at our destination at 2 a.m. (25tli). Find- 
ing no enemy there, went on to Leesburg, arriving at 
three o'clock; marched through town at sunrise, and 
returned to camp near Aldie, arriving at 10 a.m., tired 
and hungry, having marched about thirty-five miles. 

June 25th. — In camp. All quiet. 

June 26th. — Left camp at daylight and marched to 
Leesburg and bivouacked. 

June 27th. — Moved out of camp at 6 a.m. and at 
eight o'clock crossed the Potomac River at Edward's 
Ferry. We were again off Virginia soil, and in "my 
Maryland." Fifteen thousand rebels were reported to 
be at or near Harrisburg, Pa., and Lee's whole force 
was said to be ready to invade Maryland and Penn- 
sylvania. The regiment marched via Point of Rocks 
and Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and encamped near 
Jeffersonville. On this march John Havey of Troop M 
captured a rebel spy, who was allowed to go free, but 
was afterward recaptured by Charles Whitney of 
Company F (orderly to the Adjutant) and hanged at 
Frederick by order of General Buford. 

June 28th. — The regiment marched through Jeffer- 
son and at 9 a.m. passed through Middletown and 
encamped a short distance beyond. General Hooker 
was relieved of the command of the Army of the Poto- 
mac, and was succeeded by General George G. Meade. 
Citizens reported that the Confederate Army had 
crossed the Potomac at Williamsport, and was in very 
strong force, one man saying "he had counted nearly 
a hundred pieces of artillery." 

June 29tli. — The command left Middletown at 7 a.m. 
and marched via Boonsboro, Mount Pleasant, Beaver 
Creek, Cavetown, Smithburg, Ringgold, Waterloo and 
Mowrey Springs, and bivouacked about two miles. 



[1863 Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 133 

beyond the Springs. In all of those places the com- 
mand received a hearty welcome; the streets were 
lined with men, women and children, who gave it 
enthusiastic cheers, and were very liberal in supplying 
the men with food. 

June 30th. — Left Mowrey Springs at daylight and 
marched to Fairfield, which was in possession of about 
3000 of the enemy. The Sixth New York advanced 
upon the town and commenced skirmishing with the 
enemy, while the division marched by another route 
to Emmitsburg. At 9 a.m. the First and Eleventh 
Corps passed through and followed the cavalry on 
toward Gettysburg. The Sixth New York Cavalry 
reached Gettysburg at 11 a.m., but found the enemy 
had fallen back from the town. The citizens, already 
in a state of terror and excitement over the great inva- 
sion, gazed with interest and satisfaction as the long 
column of veteran troopers, with trampling horses and 
fluttering guidons, moved through their streets. The 
troops were highly welcomed; such enthusiasm and 
loyalty were seldom witnessed. Hundreds of women 
and children lined the walks and cheered the men with 
the "Eed, White and Blue," which they sang most 
loyally and charmingly, while handkerchiefs and ban- 
ners waved most earnestly and gracefully from stal- 
wart arms and delicate hands. The rebels had but 
just disappeared over the hills, and no wonder that the 
people should manifest such extreme gladness and joy 
at our coming. A supper was ready for any of the 
''boys" who desired to eat, and much was done in that 
line, of course, by the cavaliers. The regiment then 
marched through the town and encamped in the vicin- 
ity of McPherson's farm, a mile and a half to the 
north of the village, a line of pickets being established 



134 History of the [1863 

by the Second Brigade from tlie Caslitown road at 
Willoughby Eun, north across the Mummasburg 
road, near the Forney house, and thence east across 
the Carlisle, Harrisbnrg and Hunterstown roads to 
the York road on the northeast. Gamble's brigade 
picketing from the Cashtown road south along Wil- 
loughby Run to the Fairfield house. Scouting par- 
ties were immediately sent out to observe the 
approaches from Carlisle, Harrisburg and York. The 
country toward the above points was thoroughly 
scoured, and a number of prisoners were taken, from 
whom important intelligence was elicited and for- 
warded to headquarters. A scouting party having 
captured a Confederate courier with a dispatch pre- 
vented Ewell from connecting with Hill at Cashtown, 
as ordered. Gettysburg was a flourishing town of 
about 5000 inhabitants, about forty miles from Balti- 
more and eleven from Emmitsburg. The rebels had 
invaded it a few days prior, but their welcome was 
cold ; they did considerable damage in and about town, 
burned the railroad bridge and a train of cars, and 
seized what horses they could find and took goods 
from the stores, their main object being to secure 
shoes and clothing. About ten o'clock Pettigrew's 
Confederate brigade of Hetli's division made its 
appearance in the western suburbs of the town, and 
halted, their pickets advancing close to the residences 
on the outskirts. They had come with instructions to 
search the town for army supplies, shoes, etc. They 
did not enter the town, however, but examined it with 
their field-glasses. Learning of the approach of 
Meade's advance guard, they withdrew toward Cash- 
town, leaving their pickets about four miles from 
Gettysburg. At 11 a.m. two brigades of Buford's 



18GoJ Sixth New York Cavalry. 135 

division (Gamble's and Devin's) of the Union Cavalry 
entered the town. Buford's cohnnn had left Emmits- 
burg that morning. Passing through the town it 
moved out upon the Chambersburg pike (or Cashtown 
road) and halted there. (Merritt's Reserve Brigade 
of Buford's division had been left at Mechanicsburg 
to guard the trains.) Scouting parties were imme- 
diately sent out in various directions, and the informa- 
tion thus obtained throughout the night ap]:)rised 
Buford of the jiroximity of the enemy and the rapid 
convergence of their hostile columns on Gettysburg. 
Knowing that General Reynolds, who was in command 
of the left wing of the Union Army, was in supporting 
distance with the First and Eleventh Corps, he 
decided to resist the Confederate advance. The two 
armies had not been moving with closely connected 
columns. Part of the Confederate Army was at 
Chambersburg (General Lee's headquarters), twenty- 
four miles west of Gettysburg; part near Heidlers- 
burg, eleven miles north of Gettysburg, and part at 
Fayetteville, twenty-one miles west of Gettysburg, and 
a part along the Chambersburg pike, with a part near 
Cashtown, seven miles west of Gettysburg, his right 
and left wings being twenty-eight miles apart. Part 
of his cavalry, returning from a raid, was making a 
wide detour around the right of the Union Army in 
order to rejoin Lee. A part had been left near the 
Potomac to guard the rear, and the remainder was 
near Heidlersburg, eleven miles north of Gettysburg. 
There was no cavalry with his advance column 
(Hill's). 

A part of the Union Army was at Emmitsburg, 
eleven miles south of Gettysburg; a part was on the 
road leading from Emmitsburg to Gettysburg, with its 



136 History of the [1863 

advance division at Marsh Creek, five miles from the 
battle-field ; a part was at Bridgeport, on the road from 
Taneytown to Emmitsburg; a part was at Union Mills, 
seventeen miles southeast of Gettysburg; a part was 
at Littlestown, eleven miles southeast of Gettysburg; 
a part was at Manchester, thirty miles southeast of 
Gettysburg; and a part was at Uniontown, sixteen 
miles south of Gettysburg, while the cavalry, under 
Pleasanton, was covering the right and rear of the 
army, with two brigades of Buford's division already 
at Gettysburg. The right wing was at Manchester, 
the left at Emmitsburg, over thirty miles distant. 

A signal officer attached to Buford's division stated 
that on the night of the 30th, General Buford spent 
some hours with Colonel Devin of the Sixth New York 
(who was in command of the Second Brigade). While 
commenting on the information brought in by Dev- 
in 's scouts, Buford remarked that the battle would 
be fought at that point, and he was afraid it would be 
commenced in the morning before the infantry would 
get up. Devin, who did not believe in so early an 
advance of the enemy, said that he would take care 
of all that would attack his front during the ensuing 
twenty-four hours. Buford answered, "No, you 
won't. They will attack you in the morning, and 
they will come 'booming,' skirmishers three deep. 
You will have to fight like the devil to hold your own 
until supports arrive. The enemy must know the 
importance of this position, and will strain every 
nerve to secure it, and if we are able to hold it, we shall 
do well." During the night the brigade picket-line, 
made up of details from each regiment in Devin 's 
brigade (the Sixth and Ninth New York, the Seven- 
teenth Pennsylvania and Third West Virginia), was 




GETTYSBURG. 
Where the Battle Opened. 



1863] Sixth New York Cavalry. 137 

pushed forward on the Chambersbnrg pike to Wil- 
loughby Eun, whence the line extended northerly 
and easterly across the Mummasbiirg, Carlisle and 
Harrisbnrg roads. The line was in charge of Colonel 
Sackett, Ninth New York, who was brigade officer of 
the day. At daylight of Jnly 1st the advanced picket- 
post on the Chambersbnrg pike was held by Corporal 
Alpheus Hodges, Company F, Ninth New York 
Cavalry, and three other cavalrymen. Men were 
seen approaching on the road beyond Willoughby Eun, 
and nearly a mile away. Acting under orders. Cor- 
poral Hodges immediately sent his comrades to notify 
the line and the reserve, while he advanced across the 
run until near enough to see that the approaching men 
belonged to the enemy ; then he turned back, and as he 
did so they fired at him. He retired to the run, where, 
from behind the abutments of the bridge, he fired sev- 
eral shots at the enemy. This occurred about 5.30 
a.m., and this exchange of shots between the Confed- 
erate videttes and a Ninth New York trooper is 
believed to have been the first fired at Gettysburg. In 
the skirmishing which ensued later in the morning, 
Corp. Cyrus "W. James of Company G, Ninth New 
York, was killed, and he is said to have been the first 
Union soldier killed in the battle. 

Gamble's small cavalry brigade, 1200 strong, con- 
fronted the advance of Hill's corps of Confederate 
infantry. Unequal as their numbers were, Buford's 
men marched out boldly and "proudly" to the posi- 
tions assigned them. Moving out beyond the semi- 
nary about one mile, Gamble formed his brigade, with 
its right resting on the line of an unfinished railroad, 
and the left near the Fairfield road, the Chambersburg 
pike passing through his lines a little to the right of 



138 Histonj of the [1863 

the centre and at right angles with it. Devin, with 
the Second Brigade, formed to the right, his line 
extending from the railroad to the Mummasburg road. 

The opening gun of the battle was fired by the Con- 
federates, the shot coming from a cannon in Marye's 
Virginia Battery. Calef's horse battery, A, Sec- 
ond U. S. Artillery, which was attached to Buford's 
division, replied promptly, and the Battle of Gettys- 
burg was begun. At daybreak the Sixth New York 
engaged the advance of Hill's corps. Captain Heer- 
mance commanding the skirmish line. The pickets of 
the First Brigade, on the road to Cashtown, had been 
driven in by a force advancing from that direction, 
and the enemy advancing in force on Gamble's front, 
the Second Brigade was ordered to prepare for action. 
The Sixth New York was placed on the right of the 
brigade, on the road to Mummasburg, where it dis- 
mounted and deployed, holding the enemy in check for 
two or three hours until the arrival of the infantry. 
At one time the regiment was thought to have been 
captured, so fierce were the attacks made by the 
enemy's infantry and artillery upon it. 

The cavalrymen responded with a rapid carbine fire 
from behind the trees, rocks and stone walls, their 
sturdy resistance giving the enemy the impression 
that he had infantry before him, and causing him to 
advance slowly and cautiously. Buford, though hard 
pressed, held his own stoutly, knowing that reinforce- 
ments must soon arrive. The fight had raged fiercely 
for over an hour, when the signal officer, in the belfry 
of the seminary, saw in the distance the flag of the 
First Corps, and notified Buford, who climbed in the 
tower, saying, "Now we can hold the place." General 
Eeynolds came galloping up and, seeing Buford. called 



1863] Sixth New York Cavalry. 139 

out, "What's the matter, John?" "The devil's to 
pay," said Buford. General Reynolds commanded the 
First Army Corps, and one of his divisions was the 
first infantry on the field. 

When Early's division arrived on the Heidlersbnrg 
road, it found Eodes' division already moving for- 
ward to the attack. Early's skirmishers encountered 
the pickets and skirmishers of Devin's cavalry bri- 
gade. Devin's troopers in the morning held the right 
of the line as far southward as the Chambersburg 
pike, with skirmishers and videttes extending north- 
erly and easterly across the Carlisle and York roads. 

The Sixth New York, in conjunction with other reg- 
iments of the brigade, made a firm stand in the direc- 
tion of the Heidlersbnrg road, and succeeded in hold- 
ing back the rebel line until the arrival of the Eleventh 
Corps. 

When Cutler's and Baxter's brigades of the First 
Corps went into position, Devin's skirmishers moved 
off to the right, still holding a close watch on the roads 
approaching from the north. As Eodes' and Early's 
divisions successively arrived, Devin retired grad- 
ually, effecting this movement to the rear by successive 
formations in line by regiments. In executing these 
movements in the face of the enemy, his troops behaved 
well, and formed each time with perfect coolness and 
order, the small losses in the brigade being due largely 
to the admirable manner in which it was handled. 

During the second period of the first day's fighting 
two companies of the Eightieth New York advanced 
across AVilloughby Run, holding their position until 
surrounded on three sides, when, assisted by some of 
Buford 's Cavalry, they retired and rejoined their reg- 
iment. 



140 History of the [1863 

About this time Devin's skirmishers on the extreme 
right were forced back by the advance of Early's line 
of battle coming from the direction of Heidlersburg, 
but seeing the necessity of holding the ground until an 
infantry force could arrive, Devin ordered the Ninth 
New York to support the skirmish line, and, forming 
the rest of the brigade as dismounted carbineers, he 
delayed Eodes and Early until relieved by the arrival 
of the Eleventh Corps. About ten o 'clock, the Eleventh 
Corps having just arrived, the cavalry was formed in 
line of battle on the hill north of the town, while a por- 
tion of the Sixth New York went forward as skirmish- 
ers. It soon met the rebel lines, long and strong, 
advancing from the woods beyond, and immediately 
the cavalry fighting commenced, and shot and shell 
flew thick and fast. When the infantry came up, the 
fighting, of course, became more furious, and soon two 
entire rebel regiments came into town as prisoners. 

At noon the regiment, with others of the brigade, 
engaged the advance of Ewell's corps. At one o'clock 
the brigade was formed in close column of squadrons, 
north of the town, dismounted, when suddenly a bat- 
tery on a commanding eminence east of the town 
opened fire upon it — a terrific fire, equal to any it had 
ever been exposed to. Colonel Devin promptly headed 
the brigade toward town, on a double quick, while the 
shot flew thick and fast over and about, killing a num- 
ber of horses, but none of the men. That any escaped 
was a miracle. It then turned its attention to the 
pickets and shelled them out. The battery belonged 
to the Eleventh Corps and had mistaken us for the 
enemy. The mistake had broken the infantry as well 
as the cavalry line, and shortly after the enemy got 
possession of the town, from which they were after- 



1863] Sixth New York Cavalry. 141 

ward driven by the infantr}^, but at much human sacri- 
fice. 

During the fire of the battery Adjutant Easton of 
the Sixth New York dashed to Cemetery Hill and in- 
formed the Captain of the guns that he was firing on 
our own troops. Not receiving assurance that it 
would be stopped, the Adjutant called to Gren, 0. 0. 
Howard, who was at some distance on the right, 
"Howard, Howard, for God's sake, stop this firing on 
our own men!" [In 1907 Adjutant Easton asked Gen- 
eral Howard if, by any possibility, he (Howard) 
remembered the incident, and was assured that he did 
"perfectly well." The Adjutant expressed surprise 
that a major-general should recall such a minor mat- 
ter, and was answered with a smile, "Oh, you did not 
give me my title."] 

During the day, about 10.15 a.m., the gallant Gen- 
eral Reynolds fell, one more noble life sacrificed to the 
cause. [The statement as to the hour of General Rey- 
nolds' death was made by either Hall, Besley or Eas- 
ton, but I think it is incorrect, as several men of the 
brigade (Ninth New York) were with him at the time 
as orderlies, and record it as 10.15 a. m.'] The com- 
mand of the left wing now devolved temporarily on 
General Howard until the arrival of General Hancock, 
who then assumed command. General Hancock says 
in his report that when he arrived on the field he 
was "reassured by the steadiness of Buford's men." 

In the afternoon of July 1st, after the Union forces 
had fallen back to and taken position on Cemetery 
Hill, Buford, having reunited his two cavalry brigades, 
formed his division in front of Cemetery Ridge, south- 
west of the town, near the low ground east of Stevens ' 
Run, where he occupied an advanced but firm position. 



142 History of the [1863 

At noon of the 2d, Bnford's division, the only cav- 
alry on the field, occnpied a position in front of the 
Bound Tops, protecting the left flank of the army, and 
observing the line of the Emmitsbnrg road, on which 
some of Meade's troops were still arriving. The 
brigade was then ordered to the Emmitsbnrg road, 
where it formed in line in rear of the batteries of the 
division, with its right flank resting on the town. The 
enemy having gained the York road, entered the town 
immediately after the cavalry pickets retired, and 
passing through with their sharpshooters attacked the 
flank of the brigade, killing and wounding several men 
and horses. One squadron of the Ninth New York 
dismounted, and with their carbines soon drove them 
some distance into the town, punishing them severely. 

The brigade was then ordered to the extreme left, 
where it bivouacked for the night, but remained on 
duty as pickets at the Peach Orchard, watching the 
enemy, and directing the different commands where 
to go. 

The next morning, while reconnoitring in rear of 
the enemy's right, our sharpshooters became engaged 
with a division of the enemy advancing to feel our 
lines in front of the position held by Devin's brigade. 
Two squadrons of the Sixth New York were dis- 
mounted and deployed in support of the Berdan sharp- 
shooters, while the brigade was formed into line on 
the left of the First with one section of Lidball's bat- 
tery in position. The enemy not pressing his advance, 
and the Third Corps coming into position, the brigade 
was ordered to march to Taneytown, where it biv- 
ouacked and marched the next day to AVestminster. 

To the surprise and embarrassment of G-eneral 
Sickles, Bnford's division of cavalry, which had been 



1863] Sixth Neiu York Cavalry. 143 

posted on his left flank, had moved off the field, Gen- 
eral Meade having authorized General Pleasanton to 
send this division to Westminster, 30 miles distant. 
Meade supposed that Gregg's division of cavalry had 
relieved Bnford, but he had been incorrectly 
informed. As soon as he was aware of his mistake, 
he instructed Pleasanton that Sickles' flank should not 
be left unprotected by cavalry, but it was then too 
late. 

Gen. Daniel Butterfield, who was chief of staff of 
the Army of the Potomac, in an article in the North 
American Eeview, gave to the Sixth New York Cav- 
alry the credit of having made the first attack upon 
the enemy at the opening contest at Gettysburg on the 
morning of July 1st, 1863. This was on the ground 
where Buford Avenue, at the north of the town, is now 
laid out, and precisely where the beautiful monument 
of the regiment has been erected at a cost of upward 
of ten thousand dollars. 

July 2d. — The regiment engaged the advance of 
Longstreet's corps at Round Top. The Confederates 
appeared to secrete themselves in every available posi- 
tion not directly exposed to the Union lines. When- 
ever the effects of their deadly aim uncovered their 
hiding-places, the Sixth New York, with the other reg- 
iments, was employed in dislodging them from their 
strongholds. At 11 a.m., having been relieved by the 
Third Corps, the regiment left the field and marched 
to Taneytown, Md., twelve miles, and encamped. 

On the 2d and 3d of July two companies (F and H) 
of the Sixth New York, under the command of Major 
William P. Hall, operated in another direction. This 
detachment had moved up the York River, Va., in 
June, under orders from General Dix, and had cut 



144 History of the [1863 

Lee's commiiuications with Richmond. Tliis move- 
ment of the detachment, with other troops sent by 
General Dix, had the effect of drawing from the enemy 
important forces which would, undoubtedly, have been 
sent to Lee's assistance at Gettysburg. This action 
resulted in the bringing on of the Battle of Baltimore 
Crossroads, which was fought on July 2d, and which, 
without doubt, contributed directly to the success of 
the Battle of Gettysburg, 

After the Battle of Gettysburg, the regiment served, 
in connection witli the l)rigade and division, in General 
Pleasanton's corps, participating in the engagements 
of Beaver Creek, Funkstown, Williamsport, Boons- 
boro and Falling Waters. Then crossing the Poto- 
mac, and moving by Purcellsville and Salem, it 
encamped near Catiett's Station. 

July 3d. — Left Taneytown and marched to West- 
minster, thirteen miles. While there about 3500 rebel 
prisoners passed through the town. 

July 4th. — The regiment, with the brigade, marched 
to a mile beyond Uniontown and encamped. 

July 5th. — Reveille at four o'clock and at 4.30 
moved out of camp and marched via Woodboro and 
Middleburg, and at 6 p.m. passed through Frederick 
Citj^ and bivouacked a mile west of the town. 

July 6th.^ — Reveille at three o'clock and at 4 a.m. 
left camp and moved via Middletown, Boonsboro and 
South Mountain Gap toward Williamsport, twenty-six 
miles. The Sixth New York, with others, met and 
attacked the enemy about three miles from Williams- 
port, drove them, and captured and destroyed a train 
of forty wagons and took about 100 prisoners. The 
fighting commenced about five o'clock and continued 
until dark, and was between our cavalry and artillery. 



«5if.'£w-''-*i-> V 



^ OF MA. JEROME B. WHEELER AND OTHER COMRADES. 

WHEELER IS SEEN REHIND THE TROOPER 
REACHING FOR THE FLAC 



1863] Sixth New York Cavalry. 145 

and the rebel cavalry, infantry and artillery. Stuart's 
cavalry was in the vicinity of Shepherdstown, six miles 
distant. 



BATTLE (3F WILLIAMSPORT. 

On arriving- near Williamsport the batteries were 
found engaging the enemy, supported by parts of the 
First and reserve brigades, a part of which was also 
dismounted and engaged with the enemy's infantry. 
Devin was ordered to mass his brigade in the woods in 
the rear of the position and await instructions. At 
7 p.m. he was ordered to relieve the First Brigade, 
then engaged on the left front, and at dark to relieve 
his command again to the woods, which he was to hold 
until daylight to enable the other brigades to retire on 
a suitable position near the crossroads. Retiring as 
ordered, the skirmishers were drawn into a line 500' 
yards in advance of the position and connecting with 
the woods at the same distance on each flank, com- 
pletely covering the road, at the same time picketing- 
the roads in the rear toward Sharpsburg on the left 
and Hagerstown on the right. Near Williamsport 
twenty men of Troop I were sent to investigate a bat- 
tery on the right, and found it was one belonging to 
the enemy. They retired safely, taking one prisoner 
along. About midnight the enemy advanced on our 
front and engaged the skirmishers, but he was 
repulsed and soon after retired. Captain Van Buren, 
two sergeants and one private of the Sixth New York 
were captured. 

During the night the regiment was on picket in front 
of Williamsport, while the rebels were but a few rods 

10 



146 History of the [1863 

away. The men passed a wearisome, sleepless night, 
mounted, in line, or standing to horse. 

Nine hundred rebel prisoners were sent to Fred- 
erick City. 

July 7th. — Just at daybreak a squadron of the Sixth 
New York made a demonstration on the enemy's front 
by charging down and driving in his skirmishers and 
pickets on the reserve, and throwing them in confu- 
sion, under cover of which the brigade was withdrawn 
about a mile to the rear and took up a position in front 
of the road running from Hagerstown to Sharp sburg. 
The skirmishers and pickets having been drawn in, the 
brigade fell back, slowly and in good order, to Boons- 
boro, the enemy following and watching it closely, and 
occasionally attacking its rear guard, but halting 
whenever it faced about. After retiring about two 
and one-half miles the brigade was ordered to halt, to 
rest the men and horses, to strongly picket the roads 
to the rear, and, if possible, hold the position until Kil- 
patrick's division, and the two other brigades of 
Buford's division had crossed Antietam Creek. 
About 11 a.m. the enemy appeared in force in our rear 
with infantry and artillery. The Ninth New York was 
ordered up to hold him in check. As soon as it was 
learned that the rear of Buford's column was crossing 
the creek, Colonel Sackett, who was hotly engaged, was 
ordered to fall back on the brigade, which then took up 
the line of march and followed the division, the enemy 
becoming bolder and closely pressing the rear, under 
Colonel Sackett, who fell back fighting, his men behav- 
ing splendidly, making a stand at every favorable 
point, and often repulsing and punishing the enemy's 
sharpshooters. On arriving near the bridge two squad- 
rons of the Seventeenth Pennsylvania were dis- 



1863] Sixth Neiu York Cavalry. 147 

mounted and posted on a liill commanding the bridge, 
])ut the enemy was too cautious to approach the creek, 
which the brigade crossed and, joining the division, 
camped at Boonsboro. 

July 8th. — The picket-line was attacked on the 
Hagerstown pike; the Sixth New York saddled up, 
but was ordered out dismounted, and skirmished for 
two hours, under heavy fire from both infantry and 
artillery. The regiment then fell back a short dis- 
tance, in support of a line of dismounted men, during 
which the enemy got a cross fire on it. Late in the 
afternoon the command drove the enemy briskly until 
dark, and were then ordered out to make a charge, but 
the enemy had retreated, leaving us the field. It was 
an all-day's fight of our cavalry against the rebel cav- 
alry, infantry and artillery. 

BATTLE OF BOONSBORO. 

The enemy advanced in force down the Hagerstown 
turnpike. The brigade was formed in line of battle 
along a crest in front and at nearly a right angle with 
the line of the First and reserve brigades, connecting 
with the left of the latter and covering the approach 
from Williamsport. Two squadrons were deployed 
to the front as skirmishers, connecting with those on 
the right. Major Beardsley of the Sixth New York 
was ordered to advance to the hill on the left of the 
Williamsport road, but the enemy having gained 
possession of and established a battery on the heights 
on the right, completely commanding the Williams- 
port road. Major Beardsley was unable to reach the 
hill, but was forced to retire into the woods, under a 
hot fire, which position he held for two hours. In the 



148 History of the [1863 

meantime, the skirmishers had been more or less 
engaged, but abont 2 p.m. the enemy having been 
reinforced, a determined and vigorous attack was 
made on our position. The Seventeenth Pennsylvania 
and Sixth New York were dismounted and held the 
enemy with varying success, sometimes being forced 
back, and again regaining their lost ground. The men 
behaved splendidly, holding, and even driving, the 
enemy with their pistols after their carbine ammuni- 
tion was expended. 

About 6 p.m. the brigade moved to the extreme front 
and right to the support of the First Brigade, then 
rapidly drove the enemy up the turnpike. It formed 
in the field in rear of the First under the fire of the 
enemy's battery, and closed up in support until 
ordered to retire at dark, when it returned and 
bivouacked between Boonsboro and the gap. 

July 9th. — At about 11 a.m. the division advanced 
one and one-half miles to the front, and remained in 
line of battle imtil six o'clock, when a general move- 
ment was made along the centre by the cavalry, the 
Second Brigade on the left, the First Brigade on the 
right. It advanced, driving the enemy, charging, 
cheering and dashing, until after dark, when it halted 
and lay in line of battle all night, where it ceased the 
pursuit near Beaver Creek. 

BATTLE OF BEAVER CREEK. 

In the morning the Sixth New York advanced with 
the brigade to a point two and one-half miles in front 
of Boonsboro, where it was halted and massed in a 
field. About 5 p.m. the division was ordered to 
advance and, crossing Beaver Creek, to carry the 



1863] Sixth New York Cavalry. 149 

crest beyond, if practicable, and feel the enemy's posi- 
tion. One squadron of the brigade was deployed as 
skirmishers, mounted, to sweep the left to the bend of 
Antietam Creek previous to the general advance ; Vin- 
cent 's section of battery was placed in position on the 
crest in front of the centre of the line, while two 
squadrons, dismounted, connected with the left of the 
First Brigade, the Second Brigade then advancing 
with the division line. After a short but sharp skir- 
mish, the crest was carried in a most gallant manner 
by the skirmishers alone, the squadron on the extreme 
left running into an extensive cavalry camp and dis- 
persing the force. The brigade following closely, the 
enemy was driven for nearly two miles, until darkness 
rendered further pursuit useless. 

July 10th. — The command continued the pursuit, 
driving the enemy into Funkstown, where it had a 
sharp skirmish, capturing about fifty prisoners. Our 
skirmishers advanced and drove the enemy's, who 
were posted beyond Beaver Greek. At 5 a.m. the rebel 
artillery opened fire, ours immediately replying. Soon 
after the command crossed the creek and advanced, 
the eneni}^ rapidly retreating. At noon the enemy 
made a stand and resisted our advance quite stubborn- 
ly, their shells hissing and bursting about us in a 
lively manner. About 5 p.m. the command was 
relieved by the Sixth Corps and fell back out of range 
of the enemy's guns. It had been fighting Ewell's 
corps of infantry all day. The regiment went into 
bivouac about four miles from Funkstown, unsaddled 
the horses to let them rest; for the horses, as well as 
the men, were nearly worn out. 

July 11th. — Left camp at 2 p.m. and marched via 
Cadeysville and Bakersville and halted one and a half 



150 History of the [1863 

miles northeast of the Potomac River, six miles from 
"VVilliamsport, and fonr miles from Sharpsburg, the 
Sixth New York doing picket duty, with the enemy- 
close at hand. 

July 12th. — The regiment was still on picket duty, 
enjoying a heavy rain-storm, which was trying to cool 
the atmosphere that was exceedingly hot. There was 
but little lighting during the day, the cavalry being 
engaged in scouring the country to ascertain the posi- 
tion of the enemy. 

July 13th. — The day passed quietly, except for an 
occasional shot along the picket-line. 

July 14th. — At 5 a.m. a general advance was 
ordered, with the cavalry in the lead. The Sixth New 
York, with others, advanced as skirmishers and soon 
found the enem}^ was evacuating. "We pursued his 
rear guard closely, taking the river in a straight line, 
and at a quick march, over rifle-pits, breastworks, 
wheat-fields and fences, reached the Potomac only to 
find that Lee had effected his escape, leaving about 
2000 of his weary, disheartened men to our mercy, 
whom we captured, together with two three-inch rifled 
guns and caissons, some wagons and a quantity of 
ammunition, the rebel army having crossed the river 
between Williamsport and Falling Waters. The 
country in the neighborhood of the ford having been 
thoroughly scoured, the command returned to Bakers- 
ville and bivouacked for the night. 

July 15tli. — The regiment moved out in the morning 
and marched via Antietam battlefield and Sharpsburg, 
Harper 's Ferry, Sandy Hook and Knoxville to Berlin, 
where it encamped. 

Colonel Devin, in his official report of the campaign, 
said: ''Throughout the whole of these sharp and rap- 



lS6o] Sixth New York Cavalry. 151 

idly succeeding engagements the men have behaved 
like veterans, as most of them now are, not a single 
instance of misbehavior having been brought to my 
notice. The officers were also prompt, brave and 
efficient in the execution of their duties. The lu'igade 
staff, Captain "White and Lieutenants Mahnken, 
Wright and Gating, have rendered invaluable service 
in conducting reconnoissances, ascertaining the posi- 
tion of the enemy's lines, and transmitting orders on 
the battle-field, and to them, as much as to myself, is 
owing whatever success has attended the operations 
and dispositions of the brigade. 

"When all have done so nobly, it is hard to deter- 
mine, but if any one name deserves to be mentioned 
above that of others for cool and daring bravery and 
valuable services rendered on many occasions, it is 
that of Second Lieut. John W. Blunt, Troop M, Sixth 
New York Cavalry, ' ' 

July 16th. — Left Berlin and marched two miles to 
Petersville. 

July 17th. — Rain. In camp. The Second Cavalry 
Division crossed the Potomac at Berlin. 

July 18th. — The regiment left camp at noon, and 
marching to Berlin crossed the Potomac at four 
o'clock, and moved on a mile be3^ond Lovettsville and 
encamped. 

Companies F and H took up the line of march for 
Fairfax Court House, and bivouacked at night ten 
miles from Alexandria. 

July 19th. — Moved at sunrise and marched via 
W^heatland, Uniontown and Philomont — about twenty- 
five miles — and went into bivouac near Upperville. 

July 20th. — At 9 a.m. the regiment, with the com- 
mand, marched via Eectortown and encamped near 



152 History of the [1863 

Salem. The country was infested with guerrillas under 
Mosbyand Willis. Capturedtwo of them at Rectortown. 

Companies F and H marched to Fairfax and 
camped at the Court-house. The squadron was 
attached to General King's command. 

July 21st. — In bivouac at Salem. Major Conger, 
with one squadron of the Third Virginia Cavalry, was 
assigned to Devin's brigade. Firing being heard on 
the picket-line, "boots and saddles" was sounded and 
the regiment was soon ready for action. The dis- 
turbance proved to be a rebel firing six times at a 
Federal lieutenant; the latter fired once, and that 
ended it. 

July 22d. — Moved from Salem to the vicinity of 
Orleans. The Sixth New York was detailed to guard 
a wagon train ; 900 head of beef cattle captured by the 
cavalry, and twenty-five prisoners. Halted for the 
night eight miles from AVarrenton. Companies F and 
H marched to Centreville. 

July 23d. — A detachment of the regiment went 
toward Thoroughfare Grap and had a brush with the 
enemy, capturing a few of them; then marched to 
Barber's Crossroads. The fields were covered with 
blackberries — great, big luscious ones. Oh, what a 
feast! Boys, do you remember them I 

July 24th. — Left camp at 4 a.m. and reached War- 
renton at 9.30; it was slow and tedious marching 
guarding the wagon train. 

July 25th. — The regiment left Warrenton in the 
morning and marched two miles south of the town and 
bivouacked in the woods in which it had encamped on 
the night of July 27th, 1862. The infantry were fight- 
ing at Manassas Gap. Company F marched to Gaines- 
ville as escort to a wagon train. 



1863] Sixth New York Cavalry. 153 

July 26tli. — The regiment left camp at 4 p.m. and 
marched to Bealeton Station. The brigade marched 
to Liberty. 

July 27th.— The Sixth New York marched to Rap- 
pahannock Station and rejoined the brigade, which 
had moved to that place. 

July 28th. — In camp. All quiet. Picketing to 
White Sulphur Springs. 

July 29th. — The regiment went on picket from Bev- 
erly Ford to Sulphur Springs, relieving the Seven- 
teenth Pennsylvania. Oh, that sulphur water ! I can 
taste it yet. 

July 30tli. — All quiet. On picket at Lee's Ford. 
Companies F and H started at 9 p.m. at a gallop to 
Union Mills after a force of Confederate cavalry; 
cliiirged through the village, but the enemy had 
decamped. 

July 31st. — The regiment was relieved from picket 
by the Ninth New York, and arrived back in camp at 
10 p.m. Rations and ammunition were immediately 
issued, and by midnight the regiment was prepared 
for a move. 

Aug. 1st. — Broke camp at 3 a.m. and marched to 
Beverly Ford, but found it unfordable. Marched to 
Rappahannock Station and crossed some dismounted 
men in pontoon boats at six o 'clock, who drove the 
rebel pickets from the south side. A bridge was 
thrown across by ten o'clock, when the Sixth New 
York, taking the advance, crossed over and drove the 
enemy to Brandy Station. Greneral Merritt soon 
advancing on the right, we pushed the enemy to within 
sight of Culpeper, when, their infantry coming up, we 
withdrew, falling back slowly until dark, having 
accomplished the object of our mission, locating Lee's 



154 History of the [1863 

army, tliree corps of which were at Culpeper C. H. 
Encamped at night about two miles south of the river. 

Aug. 2d. — In camp. All quiet. 

Aug. 3d. — Marched about 3 p.m. to Kelly's Ford via 
the south bank of the river, arriving at sunset; 
crossed the ford and encamped. 

Aug. 4th. — One squadron of the Sixth New York 
and Major Conger's Third Virginia Squadron went 
across Mountain Eun and drove the enemj^ about a 
mile, taking two prisoners. One battalion of the regi- 
ment was on picke^. The enemy advanced on G-eneral 
Buford, who drove them back beyond Brandy Station. 
Part of Company F went in pursuit of Mosby. 
Marched to Vienna and bivouacked till 3 a.m. the 5th, 
and then marched to Frying Pan, reaching there at 
sunset. 

Aug. 5tli. — The squadron of Third Virginia and one 
squadron of Sixth New York went on a scout to Bar- 
nett's Ford, but found the river too deep to cross. 

Aug. 6tli. — The two squadrons were sent on a recon- 
noissance to Ely's Ford; crossed Mountain Eun and 
had a brush with the enemy, some of Eobertson's 
brigade; marched to Ely's Ford on the Eapidan and 
drove the rebels across; then returned across Bar- 
nett's Ford, driving the enemy away from there. 

Aug. 7tli. — All quiet along the lines. Eegiment on 
picket. Paj^naster in camp. 

Aug. 8th. — All quiet. Eegiment relieved, paid off, 
and returned on picket. A detail from Companies F 
and H started at 1 a.m. in search of Mosby, and 
bivouacked at night at the house of Mr. Coleman, 
member of Confederate Congress. 

Aug. 9th. — Still on picket at Kelly's Ford. 

Aug. 10th. — Eelieved from picket. Went on scout 



18G3] Sixth New York Cavalry. 155 

in afternoon ; drove rebel pickets across the river ; 
crossed Monntain Run and went down the river as far 
as the Eapidan; at Ely's Ford saw a much superior 
force of the enemy's cavalry drawn up in line; did not 
engage them, but fell back across Barnett's Ford, hav- 
ing covered over thirty miles. 

Aug. 11th.— Saddled up at 2.30 a.m. Remained in 
camp till 3 p.m., then moved to a mile north of the 
river and encamped in the woods; the Sixth and 
Ninth New York and Seventeenth Pennsylvania on 
picket. Captain White, Sixth New York, sent to New 
York city on special detail for drafted men. He 
stopped at the Marshall House in Alexandria where 
Colonel Ellsworth was killed. 

Aug. 12th.— All quiet; in camp two miles below 
Kelly's Ford. 

Aug. 13th. — Regiment crossed the river at 2 p.m. 
and relieved the Seventeenth Pennsylvania and found 
the rebel pickets on opposite side of Mountain Run 
quite saucy. 

Aug. 14th. — All quiet along the line. 

Aug. 15th. — Recrossed the river, drew in pickets, 
took up pontoon bridge, and marched from Kelly's 
Ford to five miles beyond Bealeton Station— distance 
twenty- five miles. Robert McCarthy of Company F 
died at midnight of the 14th and was buried at 1 p.m. 

Aug. 16th. — Moved camp in afternoon to Elk Run 
Creek. 

Aug. 17th. — All quiet in camp. 

Aug. 18th.— All was quiet except for the rumors. 
General Buford was in command of the division. 

Aug. 19th to 24th.— All quiet in camp. 

Aug. 25th. — Regiment went on picket. 

Aug. 26th.— Troops A, D and K rejoined the regi- 



156 Histonj of the [1863 

ment from the Peninsula. Regiment marched to War- 
renton Junction as escort to a sutler's train. 

Aug. 27th. — Moved out at 9 a.m. as guard to about 
200 sutler wagons; arrived at Centreville at 5 p.m. 
and encamped. 

Aug. 28th.- — Moved at -4 a.m. and marched with the 
train to a camp on the shore of Potomac Bay, two 
miles south of Washington. 

Aug. 29th and 30th. — In cam]). 

Aug. 31st. — Left the Long Bridge at 8 a.m. to return 
to Warrenton Junction with the train of 300 wagons — 
four miles long; wagons, very heavily loaded, made 
slow marching. Reached Centreville at 11 p.m. and 
bivouacked. 

Sept. 1st. — Left Centreville at 7 a.m. and reached 
AVarrenton Junction at 8 p.m. 

Sept. 2d. — Left Warrenton Junction at 8 a.m. and 
marched to camp near Catlett's Station. 

Sept. 5th. — Moved camp about a mile to Weavers- 
ville ; no water within half a mile. 

Sept. 6tli to 11th. — In camp and on picket. 

Sept. 12th. — Moved out of camp at 6 a.m. and 
marched to Rappahannock Station. Cavalry Corps 
was all there, Kilpatrick on the right, Gregg on the 
left, Buford in the centre. 

Sept. 13tli. — First Division crossed the river in 
early morning on the railroad bridge; Gregg and Kil- 
patrick crossed at Kelly's and Beverly Fords — a gen- 
eral advance on Culpeper. All marched steadily on, 
surprising the enemy at all points. The First Division 
found the enemy at Brandy Station and drove them to 
Culpeper, the Second Brigade charging through the 
town. Captured three pieces of artillery, about forty 
prisoners and some stores at depot. 



1863] Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 157 

Companies F and H left Centreville at 9 a.m. and 
marched to Catlett's Station and bivouacked. 

Sept. 14th. — Advanced in the morning to Eaccoon 
Ford on the Eapidan River. All of the cavalry was in 
the vicinity. There was brisk firing along the line all 
day. Camped at night in the woods opposite the ford, 
with the enemy's batteries in position on the high 
crest on the opposite side of river. 

Sept. 15th. — Advanced, dismounted, and made dem- 
onstration toward crossing the river. Skirmishing 
commenced, when the enemy opened upon us with 
artillery; we deployed and struck a double quick, but 
were unable to reach the river, and were compelled to 
lie down until dark, when we retired with slight casual- 
ties — a few men wounded and a few horses killed. 
The enemy had fortified the hill commanding the 
ford. The road on the opposite side of ford was a 
steep, narrow passage, scarcely wide enough for a col- 
umn of fours, and was covered for some distance by 
Parrott guns and breastworks. 

Companies F and H left Catlett's Station and 
marched to Eappahannock Station. 

Sept. 16th. — There was occasional firing all day. At 
5 p.m. the enemy made a sudden dash across the river, 
under cover of their guns (which shelled our camp, 
wounding some of the men), and captured the pickets 
of the Fourth New York, killing a captain (Mann?) 
and two men and wounding three others. The Sixth 
New York was ordered out, but the enemy had 
recrossed the river. A squadron of the Sixth went 
out and took up the picket-line. 

Companies F and H left Eappahannock Station at 
8 a.m. and reached Culpeper at twelve o'clock, and 
then started on a search for the regiment, it being con- 



158 History of the [1863 

stantly on the move. Bivouacked near Rapidan 
River. 

Sept. 17th. — The cavalry was relieved in the after- 
noon by the infantry, and fell back to Stevens- 
burg. 

Companies F and H moved out at sunrise and joined 
the regiment at ten o'clock. At 2 p.m. the brigade left 
Raccoon Ford and marched to Stevensburg and 
bivouacked. 

Sept. 18th, 19th and 20th. — All quiet in camp. 

Sept. 21st. — Left camp at 8 a.m. and marched via 
Culpeper C. H. and James City and camped near 
Madison C. H., two divisions — Buford's and Kil- 
patrick's — distance about thirty miles. 

Sept. 22d. — Left Madison C. H. at 8 a.m. and 
marched to Locustdale via the Robinson River; 
encountered Jones' brigade of cavalry and routed it, 
capturing a few prisoners. Bivouacked at the dale. 

Sept. 23d. — Left Locustdale at 2 p.m. and returned 
to Stevensburg. 

Sept. 24th and 25th. — In camp. Paymaster made a 
visit to camp and received a hearty welcome. 

Sept. 26th.— The Sixth and Ninth New York left 
camp at 8 a.m. and marched to Grove Church via Bar- 
nett's Ford, arriving at dark, and relieved the First 
Vermont from picket. 

Sept. 27th. — At 9 p.m. a party under Major Hall 
went out on a scout for guerrillas and bushwhackers, 
but failed to find any. Bivouacked at midnight seven 
miles from camp. Found plenty of poultry and all 
were well provided. 

Sept. 28th.— At 4 p.m. left Grove Church and 
marched to Hartwood Church (six miles). There was 
some picket firing. Remained in line in readiness. 



1863] Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 159 

Part of the regiment returned and went to Richard's 
Ford. 

Sept. 29th. — Made search of premises at Hartwood 
and found much clothing and arms. Part of the regi- 
ment was transferred to U. S. Ford. 

Sept. 30th. — All quiet. Passed the time watching 
and talking to the enemy across the river. 

Oct. 1st. — Regiment scouting. One of Stuart's 
staff officers crossed the river and surrendered; was 
tired of the struggle. 

Oct. 2d. — In the afternoon one of the Sixth New 
York was captured near camp by four men of the 
Fourth and Ninth Virginia Cavalry; the}^ took his 
horse and arms, ])ocketbook, portfolio, etc.; then 
marched him six miles and released him. 

Oct. 3d. — Still on picket. 

Oct. 4th. — Relieved from picket at night by the First 
Brigade of Gregg's division. Moved to Grove Church 
and bivouacked. 

Oct. 5th. — Returned to camp at Stevensburg. 

Oct. 6th. — Moved camy). All quiet. 

Oct. 7th. — In camp. 

Oct. 8th. — Inspected by General Buford. 

Oct. 9th. — Reviewed by Generals Pleasanton and 
Buford. 

Oct. 10th. — Left camp at 9 a.m. and marched to Ger- 
manna Ford on the Rapidan River, crossed at noon 
and found the enemy's works were deserted; marched 
ten miles up the river to Raccoon Ford and encamped. 
The whole line of hills was covered with rifle-pits, 
but the enemy had retreated. Took about 100 prison- 
ers. There was a little picket-firing. 

Oct. 11th.— Left Raccoon Ford at 7.30 a.m. and 
marched to Morton's Ford, two miles above, where the 



160 History of the [1863 

division (all except the rear guard) crossed. The 
enemy had opened fire on the Second Brigade before 
it had all crossed. As the advance of the rear guard 
(the Sixth New York) reached the ford, the enemy 
charged upon the regiment, which immediately 
formed and charged back, driving the enemy some dis- 
tance, when it wheeled and crossed the ford under 
cover of our battery that had taken up a position on 
the heights about half a mile beyond the ford. In the 
charge Capt. John Pierce, Sergeant McNall and sev- 
eral men of Company I were killed, and Captain Ait- 
ken of Company B was wounded. After crossing the 
ford the regiment (with the division) fought its way to 
Stevensburg, where a stand was made and the enemy 
briskly engaged, several cavalry dashes being made on 
both sides under a hot artillery fire. About noon the 
Second Brigade was drawn up in line of battle, three 
lines deep, the Sixth New York forming the front line, 
when a rebel battery, stationed on a distant hill, 
opened such a rapid fire on the lines that the command 
was forced to change its position. One of the shells 
took the cover from Chief Bugler Wells' cap. He 
afterward referred to it as "as close a miss as com- 
monly occurred, and as near a hit as was safe to expe- 
rience." A number of men were killed and wounded 
as well as a large number of horses. The command 
then retired to Stevensburg and crossed the ford at 
Shacklef ord 's Mill. While crossing the ford Colonel 
Devin, waiting to see his brigade safely over, was cut 
off from the ford, but dashing along the stream he 
jumped his horse down the bank and crossed over in 
safety. The command moved along rapidly, the rear 
guard being constantly engaged with the enemy's 
advance until it reached Brandy Station, where it was 



[18G3 Sixth New York Cavalry. 161 

found that Kilpatriek's division had been hemmed in 
on its march from Culpeper. General Buford ordered 
Colonel Devin to "charge his best regiment" and 
''smash" the "bow end" of the line to let Kilpatrick 
out. On the Colonel's replying, "My regiments are 
all the best," the General said, "Then send your own 
regiment, the Sixth New York." Devin at once 
ordered the Sixth to charge, and immediately directed 
the Ninth Ne^ York to follow it, the two regiments 
making a dashing and fierce charge through the 
enemy's double lines, when, wheeling and swing- 
ing around, they made a second and most successful 
charge, completely "smashing" the enemy's "bow 
line," and leaving a gateway for Kilpatrick, of which 
he took instant advantage, and with flashing sabres 
and loud cheers his division dashed through and 
for]ned a junction with the First Division, forming on 
its right. The cavalry continued to hold its position 
at the station, Buford 's diverting the attention of the 
enemy, while Kilpatriek's batteries gave them can- 
ister at short range until late in the afternoon, when it 
slowly retired toward the river, fighting until dark, 
and crossed over and went into bivouac near Rappa- 
hannock Station. 

(In some of the many engagements in which the 
regiment took so conspicuous a part, there were inci- 
dents of individual bravery, sometimes almost border- 
ing on recklessness, which, if recorded on the pages of 
this book, would make interesting reading matter, and 
might, x^ierchance, spur on future generations to emu- 
late the deeds of their sires, should the occasion ever 
arise. But those incidents were recorded only in the 
personal diaries of the men and their comrades, the 
great majority of which have become hidden from 
11 



162 History of the [1863 

sight tlirough the death of the writers, and though 
long and diligent search has been made, but few have 
been brought to light, and the story of the men, so 
vital to this history, must forever remain untold. Of 
such as have been found, as well as those that remain 
fresh in my memory, mention will be made on other 
pages.) 

Oct. 12th. — At 9 a.m. the regiment went on picket a 
mile south of the river. At 2 p.m. the cavalry (fol- 
lowed by infantry) crossed the railroad bridge, First 
Division in advance, and pressed the enemy rapidly to 
within a mile of Gulpeper, and then made a "left 
about" wheel and retired to Brandy Station, where it 
encamped. 

Oct. 13th. — At midnight the regiment was aroused 
from sleep, and at 1.30 a.m., without sound of bugle or 
drum, took up the march for the north side of the Rap- 
pahannock. The camp-fires were left burning, and in 
the deep darkness of the night Brandy Station was 
■evacuated, and by daylight the troops had all crossed 
the river, the pontoons were taken up and the rail- 
road bridge blown to atoms. Halted here for a few 
hours and at 2 p.m. moved again and reached Warren- 
ton Junction at sunset and encamped. Lee's army 
was reported advancing toward Washington, via 
Dumfries and Sulphur Springs, and we were pushing 
on to meet it. Bealeton, Warrenton Junction and 
Catlett's Station were destroyed, and but little was 
left to the enemy along the line of the railroad. 

Oct. 11th. — Reveille at 3 a.m. Left Warrenton 
Junction at 9.30 a.m. and marched in rear of the army 
trains to Brentsville, and halted. At 6 p.m. the enemy 
made an attack in an attempt to capture or destroy 
the train, but was handsomely repulsed. The Sixth 



1863] Sixth New York Cavalry. 163 

New York went on picket at night. No fires, no sup- 
per, no sleep, the brigade remaining in line of battle 
all night. 

Oct. 15th.— Left Brentsville at daylight and 
marched via Cedar Eun, Wolf Run Shoals and Fair- 
view to Fairfax Station, near which we were attacked 
in the rear by a large force of the enemy — one divi- 
sion of cavalry and six pieces of artillery. The Second 
Brigade, as rear guard, was soon in line to meet them, 
and after many desperate efforts and fierce charges 
were made upon us, each one of which was met and 
checked by our trusty sabres and true-going firearms, 
the enemy gave up the contest and retired to a safe 
distance. The fight lasted from 4 p.m. until dark. 
Our loss was considerable, but the enemy's was 
greater. The march was then resumed and continued 
all night, through mud and rain. 

Oct. 16th. — Halted three miles beyond Fairfax Sta- 
tion and encamped. 

Oct. 17th. — In camp. 

Oct. 18th. — Aroused at midnight and moved to Fair- 
fax C. H., near Chantilly, and encamped. 

Oct. 19th. — Moved at noon and marched via Centre- 
ville and Bull Run battle-ground, and halted near Hay- 
market. 

Oct. 20th. — Left Haymarket at an early hour and 
marched to Thoroughfare Gap and halted a short dis- 
tance beyond. The Sixth New York was ordered to 
White Plains on a reconnoissance, while the brigade 
took another route. At White Plains it captured one 
of Mosby's scouts and some sutler's goods. Left at 
sunset and marched to near Warrenton and encamped. 

Oct. 21st. — Marched one and one-half miles south of 
Warrenton and halted. 



164 History of the [1863 

Oct. 22d. — Part of the regiment went through New 
Baltimore and rejoined the regiment at Warrenton, 
The enemy occupied Rappahannock Station, having 
destroyed the raih'oad between Bristow Station and the 
river. 

Oct. 23d. — "Boots and saddles" at 1 p.m. Marched 
to within a mile of Bealeton Station. The enemy was 
all about and in force at the station. Regiment went 
on picket. 

Oct. 24th.— "To horse" at daylight. Marched to 
Bealeton Station and found the enemy had fallen back. 
Moved on to Rappahannock Station, where we found 
the enemy in strong force. Advanced to near the line 
of hills near the river, when a sharp skirmish fire com- 
menced and was kept up for an hour, when we retired. 
The enemy advanced in four columns, and made an 
effort to flank and capture us, but failing in the 
attempt they gave us a volley, killing one man and 
wounding another. 

Oct. 25th. — Marched via Germantown toward Beale- 
ton Station, and after making a demonstration went 
into camp for the night. 

Oct. 26th.- — The enemy advanced at 10 a.m. The 
Sixth New York was ordered to the front and engaged 
his cavalry, infantry and artillery from 11 a.m. until 
4 p.m., each side alternating in advancing and falling- 
back. At four o'clock the regiment was sent to Elk 
Run, six miles down the river, arriving at dusk, where 
it posted its pickets and encamped. 

Oct. 27th. — At Elk Run, the famous rebel rendez- 
vous. 

Oct. 28th.— Relieved by the Fifth U. S. Cavalry and 
marched to near Germantown and encamped near the 
railroad. 



1863] Sixth New York Cavalry. 165 

Oct. 29tli. — In camp. 

Oct. SOth.— In camp. The Third Corps joined us. 

Oct. 31st. — The regiment was drawn up in line and 
addressed by Colonel Devin on tlie subject of reenlist- 
ment for another three years. Those who would 
reenlist were requested to step to the front. Nearly 
the entire regiment moved forward. 

Nov. 1st to 3d.— In camp. All quiet. 

Nov. 4th.— Great excitement in camp over reenlist- 
ment. 

Nov. 5th.— Regiment went on picket toward the 
river in vicinity of Morrisville. There were many 
guerrillas around that part of the country. 

Xov. 6th.— Moved reserve up the river. A rebel 
deserter came in through our lines. 

Nov. 7th.— Relieved from picket early in morning 
and marched to near Sulphur Springs and encamped. 
The Army of the Potomac was advancing. 

Nov. 8th.— Saddled and ready to move at 4 a.m. At 
noon the brigade crossed the Rappahannock at Sul- 
phur Springs, and marched via Jefferson to Hazel 
Run and bivouacked. The First and Second Brigades 
were in the advance. The enemy was in Jefferson. 
White's band of guerrillas annoyed us exceedingly. 
The weather was very cold. Stood to horse all night. 
Our forces captured 1200 prisoners, seven pieces of 
artillery and four stands of colors, drove the enemy 
from his position and took possession of his winter 
quarters between Culpeper and the river. 

Nov. 9th.— Left Hazel Run at 11 a.m. and marched 
to near Beverly Ford and bivouacked in the enemy's 
vacated camp. 

Nov. 10th.— Moved to Culpeper. Regiment went 
some miles on a reconnoissance and then returned and 
went on picket. 



166 History of the [1863 

Nov. nth and 12tli.— All quiet. 

Nov. IStli. — Eelieved from picket. 

Nov. 14tli. — Went on picket again. A furious gale 
sprang up, accompanied by thunder and lightning, 
during which the rain fell in torrents — one of those 
frequent storms that so delighted the soldier on his 
solitary post. 

Nov. 15tli. — Packed and saddled ready to move. 
Heavy firing was heard in the direction of Raccoon 
Ford. 

Nov. 16th. — Left at 11 a.m. and moved to the road 
leading to Little Washington, one mile distant. 

Nov. 17th. — Moved reserve to Sperryville pike, one 
mile from Culpeper C. H. Part of the regiment 
went on a scout to Sperryville and captured twenty 
horses, six rebels and two hundred head of cattle, and 
returned about midnight, having traveled over fifty 
miles. 

Nov. 18th.— All quiet. Still on picket. 

Nov. 19th. — Eelieved by Fourth New York. Pay- 
master in camp. 

Nov. 20th. — Regiment received pay. 

Nov. 21st, 22d, 23d.— All quiet in'^camp. 

Nov. 24th. — In the afternoon the Sixth New York 
and squadron Third Virginia Cavalry went on a scout 
toward Sperryville. Met the rebels and had a short 
but sharp skirmish, in which Lieutenant Hoffman of 
the Third Virginia was killed, and twelve of his men 
captured, and two of the Sixth New York wounded. 
The regiment chased the enemy up in the mountains, 
where they escaped in the woods. 

Nov. 25th.— All quiet. 

Nov. 26th. — Moved, at noon, a mile beyond Culpeper 
and remained all night saddled. 



1863] Sixth New York Cavalry. 167 

Nov. 27tli. — Heavy musketry firing toward Morton 
and Eaccoon Fords. Regiment on picket at German- 
ua Ford. 

Nov. 28tli. — Heavy firing across the river. First 
Division was rear guard to a large wagon train. Gen- 
eral Merritt was in command. General Buford was 
sick in Washington. Kilpatrick was engaging the 
enemy all day. 

Nov. 29th.- — Moved at noon and crossed at Ely's 
(or Ellis) Ford to south side of the Rapidan. Heavy 
firing was heard toward Orange C. H. Regiment 
was sent on a reconnoissance in that direction and 
marched about eight miles and bivouacked near the 
Chancellors ville pike. 

Nov. 30th. — Marched to near Wilderness, five miles 
from the river, and on the plank road leading to 
Orange C. H. 

Dec. 1st. — Having found the enemy too strongly 
entrenched, the Army of the Potomac, in its change of 
base, started in its backward move toward Ely's 
Ford. All wagons were ordered to the rear. The 
Second Brigade remained to cover the retreat,, 
and stood to horse all night. The weather was 
very cold. 

Dec. 2d. — Marched before daylight as rear guard to 
the army; crossed at Germanna Ford after sunrise 
and bivouacked, the Sixth New York remaining at and 
holding the ford, one squadron remaining on the south 
bank, with the enemy in sight. 

Dec. 3d. — Still on picket at the ford, with a brigade 
of infantry as support, the army having moved to 
some other point. 

Dec. 4tli. — Relieved from picket in the morning, and 
marched via Stevensburg to Culpeper. 



168 History of the [1863 

Dec. 5tli. — Heavy firing toward the fords. Enemy 
was trying to cross. Stuart driven back by Custer. 

Dec. 6tli to 9tli. — All quiet. In camp. 

Dec. 10th. — Eegiment went on picket on the Sulphur 
SjDrings road. 

Dec. 11th to 16th. — On picket. 

Dec. 17th. — Relieved by the Ninth New York. 

Dec. 18th. — Commenced building winter quarters. 
Part of the army was encamped on the farm of John 
Minor Botts. The regiment was doing picket-duty 
three days out of nine, the Fourth, Ninth and Sixth 
New York relieving each other. 

Dec. 19th. — Reenlistment was being agitated. 

Dec. 20th. — At 1 a.m. five companies of the regi- 
ment, under Major Hall, went on a scout toward Hazel 
Run, to near Eixeyville. Saw but one rebel and he 
"double-quicked" out of sight. Returned to camp at 
10 a.m. 

Dec. 21st. — Sad news reached our camp — the death 
of General Buford. A great loss to the army, for he 
was a superior cavalry chief and was much beloved by 
his command. 

The squadron of the Third West Virginia Cavalry, 
attached to the brigade, was ordered to rejoin its regi- 
ment. 

The remaining part of December was devoted, prin- 
cipally, to the subject of reenlistment. The term of 
enlistment of a large part of the army would expire in 
less than a year, or during the last half of 1864. 
Aware of the superiority of experienced soldiers, the 
government decided to appeal to the veterans- to re- 
enlist. About the middle of December orders were 
promulgated by the War Department, providing that 
when three-fourths of a company or regiment should 



1863] Siiih New York Cavcdry. 169 

reenlist, tliey would be sent home in a body for the 
purpose of recruiting, and that the men so reenlisting 
should have a furlough of thirty-five days. These 
orders also provided that men having more than 
fifteen months to serve should be excluded from 
reenlisting. Other inducements to reenlist were the 
United States bounty of $402, the New York state 
bounty of $75, and such local bounties as might be pro- 
vided. 

The Sixth New York Cavalry was the first to 
reenlist as a regiment under that call and offer, and in 
the early part of January, 1864, was sent, in a body, to 
New York. In the meantime, the mud was about a 
foot deep. 

Dec. SOtli. — Paymaster arrived and was interviewed 
by the regiment. 

Doc. 31st. — Watched the old year out in camp at 
Culpeper. 



1864 

Jan. 1st. — The regiment had been paid off. The 
reenlisted men turned in their horses, and prepared to 
go home on furlough. Company I had a dance at 
Stiles Shop. 

Jan. 2d.— Left camp in the morning and at 3 p.m. 
boarded the cars at Culpeper and reached AVashing- 
ton, after a very cold ride, at 10.30 p.m., and was quar- 
tered in barracks near the depot. 

Jan. 3d and 1th. — In Washington, waiting for trans- 
portation and getting good meals once more. 

Jan. 5th. — Left Washington at 10 a.m. and arrived 
in Bigjtimore at 1 p.m. Took supper at Soldiers' 
Eelief Association, then marched to Maryland Insti- 
tute for the night. 

Jan. 6th. — Left Baltimore at 1 p.m. via Beading and 
Elizabethport, and thence by boat to New York city. 

Jan. 7th. — Reached New York city at 1 p.m. and 
after turning in their arms at the arsenal and receiv- 
ing their furloughs, the regiment "broke ranks" and 
scattered in all directions for thirty days. Some of 
the "boys" put on airs, and took sleeping-cars. Leav- 
ing them to the enjoyment of that reward they had so 
loyally earned, we shall turn to Camp Culpeper, and to 
the few unfortunates who were reveling in their diet 
of hardtack and salthorse. The most of the time was 
passed very quietly in camp. Many express boxes 
were received from home. Picket-duty was the main 
service. The cavalry picket-line extended from the 
Sperryville pike, three miles northwest of Culpeper, 
where it connected with the infantry picket-line, south 



172 History of the [1864 

and eastward to the Eapidan, thence down the river to 
the Eappahannock, and for some distance along* that 
river, making a line of about sixty miles. The line of 
infantry pickets was some distance inside the line of 
cavalry pickets, and did not extend along the Rappa- 
hannock, On the night of Feb. 6tli orders were 
received to be ready to move in the morning at seven 
o'clock. The best mounted men and a large force of 
infantry moved toward the river. Heavy firing was 
heard in the direction of Raccoon Ford. On the 7tli 
the men returned to camp about 9 p.m., having made 
a reconnoissance to Barnett's Ford. On the 13tli the 
division was reviewed. On the 15th two divisions 
were reviewed by General Pleasanton, near Stevens- 
burg. On the 18th the reenlisted men took transports 
in New York city, and passing out to sea sailed away 
for Alexandria, arriving there on the 20th. On the 
voyage some of the men were very seasick. At 2 p.m. 
on the 24th they arrived in camp at Culpeper and drew 
their arms. They were heartily welcomed by the men 
who had been left in camp. The following was taken 
from the diary of one of the men of Troop I, entered 
while at home on the furlough : Jan. 15th, ' ' On picket 

at Mr. having a good time; don't care about 

being relieved." 

And this from another diary: "Somewhere in Alle- 
ghany County, having a good time." 

Feb. 27th. — Greneral Custer, with 1500 cavalry, had 
crossed the Rapidan, flanking the Confederate Army 
on the west, and moved to within four miles of Char- 
lottesville, where he met a superior force and was 
turned back. At Stannardsville he was met by a force 
of cavalry only, which, having i)uslied aside, he 
returned to camp near Culpeper, followed by many 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalry. 173 

refugees from slavery. This raid, though directed 
against the enemy's depots, railroads, etc., was 
intended to detract attention from another, far more 
formidable, led by General Kilpatrick, who, with his 
own division and detachments from the First Division 
from Stevensburg, started on the 28th and, crossing 
the Rapidan at Ely's Ford, moved rapidly around the 
east flank of Lee's army, by Spottsylvania C. H. to 
the Virginia Central Railroad at Beaverdam Station, 
thence across the South Anna to Kilby Station on the 
Fredericksburg road, cutting both roads as he passed, 
and pushing on to within three and one-half miles of 
Richmond, and thence down the Peninsula to York- 
town, where his command took boats for Alexandria, 
and returned to Culpeper. He captured about 500 
prisoners and lost about 150 men. Inability to dis- 
cover the individual records or obtain the recollections 
of any of the few survivors of the Sixth New York, 
forming a part of those detachments of the First 
Division, the following account of the part taken by 
them is from the recollections of Captain Rutherford, 
and the journal of William Hill of the Ninth New 
York: 

"On Feb. 27tli left camj:) near Culpeper with 
light saddles and two days' rations, and reported to 
General Kilpatrick at Stevensburg. Kilpatrick 's 
command for the raid to Richmond consisted of a 
horse battery and 3000 cavalrymen, of whom 300 were 
from the Second Brigade of the First Division. Extra 
rations were drawn at Stevensburg, and at dark 
Feb. 28tli the command moved to Ely's Ford. A 
detachment under Hogan, the scout, crossed the river 
and captured every Confederate on picket there, about 
forty in all, without a shot being fired. The command 



174 History of the [1864 

marched all nigiit, passing through Chancellorsville, 
and reached Spottsylvania C. H. about noon Feb. 
29th, stopping a short time to feed the horses, and 
then moved on to Beaverdam Station, which was 
burned, together with a storehouse and some cars. A 
huge pile of wood was also set on fire, which burned 
rapidly and made a sightly blaze. It was about dark 
when the work was finished at this point, and as the 
command was leaving, a few shots were exchanged 
with the railroad guards, who took courage at the 
departure of Kilpatrick's men and advanced to the 
station. The command moved on six or eight miles 
and halted about an hour to feed and rest the horses 
and make coffee. Col. Ulric Dahlgren, with 400 men, 
had left the column at Spottsylvama C. H. to move 
on roads to the right through Louisa and Goochland 
counties. The detachments of the Fourth, Sixth and 
Ninth New York, with about fifty men of the Third 
Indiana Cavalry, making a force of about 350 men, 
under command of Major Hall, now left Kilpatrick's 
column at 11 p.m. and moved to the left toward South 
Anna Bridge through a cold, drizzling rain and 
intense darkness. When approaching the Fredericks- 
burg Railroad, they encountered an infantry picket. 
Several guns flashed in the darkness and their bullets 
went singing overhead. The picket reserve consisted 
of two companies of infantry in the thick pine woods 
alongside the road. Captain Brown (of the Ninth) 
was ordered to dismount his men and drive them out. 
The men dismounted and formed a skirmish line as 
best they could, and advanced, firing their carbines 
into the thicket. Every man was yelling and the Cap- 
tain was cursing to keep them quiet. To the poor Con- 
federate boys the number of their assailants was 



1864] Sixtli Neiv York Cavalry. 175 

greatly magnified, and they cried ont, 'Don't shoot; 
we surrender;' and every one surrendered as the cav- 
ah-ymen advanced through the woods. One trooper 
said eight 'rebs' surrendered to him; he 'surrounded' 
them. The other detachments captured a gun 
and a wagon with a team of mules. A brigade of 
infantry and a battery and some cavalry were found 
at the bridge. March 1st, at daylight, the enemy 
opened with his battery, and advanced a line of skir- 
mishers. Major Hall then moved back and crossed at 
Beech Tree Ford, capturing the Confederate pickets 
there. The prisoners were all paroled and abandoned, 
and Hall then moved on, marching all day, capturing 
and destroying one train of cars and an engine, and 
rejoined Kilpatrick's force near Eichmond, where he 
had already passed the outer earthworks. A few men 
who were sore from the long ride lagged a little, and 
were promptly 'gobbled up' by the rebel cavalry. At 
dark Kilpatrick fell back and crossed the Chickahom- 
iny at Meadow Bridge, stopping on the lowlands in the 
midst of a driving storm of sleet and rain. The men, 
too tired and sleepy to think of their wet condition, or 
mind the cold, lay down with their bridle reins around 
their wrists and went to sleep, fence-rails serving as 
beds to keep them out of the mud. About 11 p.m., 
while enjoying their 'sweet slumbers,' they were 
aroused by the rapid firing of the pickets, closely fol- 
lowed by a bursting shell in their midst. It was 
evident the position was not adapted to quiet slumbers. 
Hardly a word was spoken, and there was no confu- 
sion. The men mounted their horses and moved off 
rapidly in column of fours. At 2 a.m. March 2d they 
had reached a point seven miles from Eichmond, and 
waited there for daylight. The absorbing topic was 



176 History of the [1864 

their escape. It was said, too, that the reason for not 
entering Richmond was that Colonel Dahlgren, who 
was to be on hand to make an attack from the other 
side of the city, had not been heard from, and fears 
were entertained that he had been captured. 

"While the next move was being discussed by the 
officers, a thorough inspection of the neighboring 
smokehouses and henroosts was made, and rewarded 
with abundance of the best product of the country, 
including turkeys, hams and sweet potatoes. The col- 
umn moved at davlight with the Ninth New York as 
rear guard. The situation soon became quite serious, 
as Wade Hampton's cavalry was following closely, 
intent on making trouble. The First Maine Cavalry 
was sent to support the rear guard, and charged, cap- 
turing four prisoners. The column halted near the 
Pamunky River, about fifteen miles from Richmond. 
Here plenty of corn was found and the tired horses 
were fed and rested, while the men feasted on ham, 
turkey and sweet potatoes. That night the column 
moved across the White House Railroad, down the 
Peninsula, and came in sight of a large cavalry camp 
with many fires burning, which Kilpatrick mistook for 
the enemy. The column then countermarched, the 
guns were placed in position, the men formed in line 
and dismounted. The night was very cold, but no fires 
were built, and the men stood to horse till daylight of 
March 3d, when a patrol sent forward found the camp 
to be that of some cavalry sent up the Peninsula by 
General Butler to Kilpatrick 's aid. The column then 
moved on, and at New Kent C. H. found some col- 
ored troops, also sent by Butler. The column went 
into camp about ten miles from Williamsburg. March 
4th marched through Williamsburg to Yorktown. 



1864] Sixth Netv York Cavalry. Ill 

Here Kilpatrick's men drew the first rations and 
forage since leaving Stevensbiirg. Colonel Dahl- 
gren strnek the fortifications of Richmond on March 
2d and thence turned eastward, making a circuit north 
of the city to Hanovertown Ferry, and endeavored to 
reach Kilpatrick's column, but was stopped after 
crossing the Mattapony at Dabney's Ford, where he 
encountered some Confederate infantry. Dahlgren 
was killed and his men dispersed. Most of his men 
succeeded in joining Kilpatrick's column. General 
Kilpatrick, with 1000 men, moved u]) the Pamunky to 
learn the fate of Colonel Dahlgren. When he returned, 
his command took boats for Alexandria, where it 
arrived March 12th and reached camp at Culpe]ier 
March 15th, having made one of the most remarkable 
raids of the war. ' ' 

During the Kilpatrick raid the reenlisted men 
remained in camp, not having received their horses. 

March 7th. — Part of the regiment went dismounted 
to Hazel River, on picket, relieving the Seventeenth 
Pennsylvania Cavalry, which went on a scout. 

March 14th. — Detail went to Culpeper for horses, 
but failed to get any. Several cases of smallpox vis- 
ited the camp. 

March 15th. — Regiment all vaccinated. 

March 16tli. — Major William P. Hall resigned. 

March 17tli. — Part of regiment went on a scout to 
Sperryville, during which a Confederate major and 
two conscripts were captured. 

By an act of Congress, passed in February, the 
grade of lieutenant-general was revived and approved 
March 1st by President Lincoln, who nominated Gen. 
U. S. Grant for the place, the Senate confirming the 
nomination the following day. The General was sum- 

12 



178 History of the [1864 

moned from the Western Army and reached Washing- 
ton March 8th. In a brief order he assmned command, 
announcing that his headquarters would be in the field 
and with the Army of the Potomac. There was to be 
no more moving back to protect Washington or to 
avoid Lee. The objective was to be Lee's army and 
its defeat. Until the latter part of April the time was 
devoted to careful preparations for the campaign. 
The Army of the Potomac, still under the command of 
General Meade, was reorganized, its five corps being 
reduced to three, the Second, Fifth and Sixth, com- 
manded respectively by Generals Hancock, Warren 
and Sedgwick. Major-general Philip H. Sheridan, 
who had commanded a division in the Western Army 
under Grant, was assigned to command the Cavalry 
Corps, and on April 5th assumed command, General 
Pleasanton having been relieved. General Buford, 
the efficient commander of the First Cavalry Division, 
having died, was succeeded by Gen. A. T. A. Tor- 
bert. General Gregg retained his command, but Kil- 
patrick was succeeded by General James H. Wilson. 
Custer's brigade, which had been serving with Kil- 
patrick's division, was transferred to the First 
Division; the Fourth New York Cavalry was assigned 
to Devin's brigade, and the First New York Dragoons 
to Merritt's brigade. The corps consisted of three 
divisions: First, Torbert; Second, Gregg; Third, 
Wilson. The First Division consisted of three 
brigades, Custer's, Devin's and Merritt's. Devin's 
brigade (Second) was composed of four regiments, 
the Fourth, Sixth and Ninth New York and Seven- 
teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 

March 18th. — News of the appointment of General 
Grant as General-in-chief of the United States armies 
was received in camp. 



1864] SLvth Neiv York Cavalry. 179 

March 19tli. — All quiet in camp. Scouting party 
from the Sixth New York was sent out to investigate 
rumor of enemy advancing on our right flank. 

March 20th. — Eegimental inspection. 

March 21st. — Dress parade. 

March 22d. — Snow, wind, and extremely cold. 

March 23d. — The deepest snow of the winter, being 
from six to ten inches. 

March 24th. — Regiment received its pay. General 
Grant expected at Culpeper. 

March 25tli. — All quiet in camp. 

March 26tli. — The roads were in a most horrible 
condition; were believed to be almost bottomless. 
Passes to Culpeper were i^rohibited, as it was desired 
that none of the Sixth New York should be found 
''straggling off the line" while General Grant was in 
camp. 

March 27tli. — Easter Sunday. Sutler did a big 
business in eggs. 

March 28th. — Regiment had a drill and dress 
parade. 

March 29th. — First Cavalry Division and Fifth 
Corps reviewed by Generals Grant, Meade and others. 

March 30th. — Part of the regiment went on picket 
in morning. 

March 31st.— All quiet. 

April 1st. — All fools' day, with plenty of fun to 
relieve the monotony of camp life. If Captain "Tim" 
Hanly of the Ninth New York were living, he would, no 
doubt, remember mounting his horse and riding to 
Brandy Station to collect a debt of several hundred 
dollars from an officer, who, having just resigned, and 
being about to leave the army, desired to ''settle up." 
If Captain Clark of the Battery is living, he probably 



180 History of the [1864 

will remember donning a new cravat and collar and 
going over to the Ninth New York camp to take dinner 
with Colonel and Mrs. Sackett. If Chaplain Keyes of 
the Ninth is still in the earthly ranks, he may recol- 
lect being called to brigade headquarters on some duty 
connected with his office. Many others might be men- 
tioned, all of whom arrived at their several destina- 
tions only to be informed as to the date. The writer 
remembers most distinctly, as it was his hand that 
penned the notes and ''forged" the signatures, at the 
instigation of Captains Mahnken and Blunt. 

The greater part of April was passed in camp, with 
the usual routine of drill, dress parade, reviews, tar- 
get practice, scouting and picket duties, varied with 
plenty of rain, snow and sleet, and the ever-present 
mud, which was about knee-deep. The mountain dis- 
trict along the head waters of Hazel River, northwest 
of Culpeper and west of the Sperryville pike, was a 
resort for Confederate scouts. One, Billy Scott, who 
had been active in that service, and was said to have 
captured or killed several Union pickets, made his home 
at a distillery in that region. In the early part of the 
month Captain Coffin of the Ninth New York, with two 
squadrons of the regiment, accompanied by Captain 
Wright (Sixth New York) of Devin's staff, left camp 
one evening and moved out to the distillery, reaching 
it just at daylight. They surrounded the buildings, 
which included a dwelling-house, the distillery, and a 
spring-house. Scott was seen to leave the house and 
move hurriedly down a path and to a ravine, and 
among some rocks, in an effort to escape. Sergeant 
Bradshaw of the Ninth followed, and with a few shots 
from his carbine compelled Scott to halt and surren- 
der, when, turning him over to another man of the 



1S64] Sixth New York Cavalry. 181 

company, he followed the path through a thicket and 
found Scott's horse, a fine one, which he took back to 
camp. 

April 8th.— Through general orders the troops were 
informed that General Pleasanton had been relieved 
from the command of the Cavalry Corps and assigned 
to duty in the Department of Missouri, and that Major- 
general Philip H. Sheridan had been assigned to the 
command of the cavalry. 

April 10th.— General Torbert took command of 
First Division. 

April nth.— The rivers were very high; the rail- 
road bridges were carried away by the floods, and the 
cars stopped running. 

April 13th. — A scouting party from the Sixth New 
York started at 6 p.m. for Castle Mountain. 

April 14th.— The party scouted around the moun- 
tain, and at Woodville were fired on by bushwhackers. 
April 16th. — The rain was so very heavy the men in 
camp were forced to remain in their tents. 

April 20th.— AVent on picket, relieving the Ninth 
New York and Seventeenth Pennsylvania. 

April 27th.— Moved camp to near Pony Mountain, 
one mile south of Culpeper. 

April 28th.— "Boots and saddles" at -t a.m. At sun- 
rise the brigade marched via James City to Madison 
C. H. to reconnoitre the enemy's position; found a 
small force near Eobinson River; Lieutenants Blunt 
and Catiug, with thirty men, crossed the river and 
chased him four miles, capturing about a dozen, but 
owing to the fleetness of their horses the others 
escaped. Then charged through Madison, but finding 
no great force of the enemy returned to camp, having 
traveled about forty miles. Went through the post- 



182 History of the [1864 

office and found a copy of the Riclmiond Enquirer 
of the 27th. Lieutenant Gating was thrown from his 
horse while charging the picket. 

April 29tli. — A number of deserters from the Tenth 
Virginia Cavalry came in our lines. 

May 1st. — The division was inspected by General 
Torbert. 

May 2d. — Regimental drill and dress parade. The 
camp was visited by a young tornado, blowing down 
most of the tents and causing much excitement and 
amusement for a couple of hours. 

May 3d. — Orders were received to get ready to 
move. From the summit of Pony Mountain the rebel 
camps could be seen across the Rapidan. The Eman- 
cipation Proclamation was received for distribution. 

THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. 

May 4th. — The regiment formed line at 10 a.m. and 
at 1 p.m. left camp and marched via Stevensburg to 
near Richardsville, about three and one-half miles 
from the Rapidan, and encamped. The infantry had 
been crossing the river all day. The Army of the 
Potomac had moved against Lee, who held an 
intrenched position along Mine Run and the south 
bank of the Rapidan River, extending from Morton's 
to Barnett's Ford, a distance of about twenty miles. 
The fords below Morton's were held by detachments 
of Confederate cavalry. There was but a small force 
of Lee's infantry in the works along the river, the 
bulk of his army being situated so it could be thrown 
to either flank to which Meade might approach. The 
Army of the Potomac moved by the left flank and 
crossed the Rapidan at Grermanna and Ely's fords. 



18(34] Sixth New York Cavalry. 183 

preceded by the Second and Third Cavalry Divisions. 
The First Cavalry Division remained in the rear to 
guard the trains and reserve artillery. The Third 
Division crossed the Rapidan at Germanna Ford, 
moved by the Wilderness Tavern to Parker's store, 
and sent a heavy reconnoissance toward Mine Run. 
The Second Division crossed at Ely's Ford and 
pushed on to Chancellorsville. 

May 5th. — Reveille at 4 a.m. "To horse" at five 
o'clock, and then marched in rear of the wagon train. 
Crossed the Rapidan at Ely's Ford, and thence to 
Chancellorsville, and halted on the old battlefield of 
May, 1863, when Hooker and Lee met in that terrible 
fight that cost so many lives on each side. What deso- 
lation and horrors presented themselves to the eye 
from our temporary bivouac! Bodies and bones of 
unburied men, and of those only partially buried, were 
exposed on every hand. The infantry commenced 
fighting about noon, and the roar of artillery and 
rattle of musketry were incessant till dark. At sun- 
down the line had moved some little distance beyond 
the old battlefield, the First Cavalry Division remain- 
ing there guarding the wagons and watching a large 
force of rebel cavalry in that vicinity. 

May 6th. — Reveille at 3 a.m. ' ' Boots and saddles ' ' 
at 3.30 and at nine o'clock moved to the front in sup- 
port of Custer's brigade, which was engaging the 
enemy near Todd's Tavern on Hancock's left. We 
immediately opened fire, the enemy giving us a warm 
welcome with their artillery, and shot and shell was 
hurled, thick and fast, among and about us. One shell 
just grazed a horse and rider — did not touch either, 
but the horse fell, lifeless — frightened to death, or 
what? Our battery soon silenced the enemy's, when 



18-4 History of the [1864 

the regiment went on picket until late in the afternoon, 
at which time it moved back toward Chancellorsville 
and bivouacked near the "Furnace/' 

May 7th. — Moved up to yesterday's line, Sixth New 
York in advance, skirmishing into position; in the 
afternoon moved to Todd's Tavern, and in connection 
with the First Brigade and Gregg's division, attacked 
the enemy and drove them until dark. Then returned 
to the "Furnace" for the train, returning about 
2 a.m. on the 8th. Met Generals Grant and Meade on 
the road. James McMahon and Cooper, Company I, 
Sixth New York, wounded. 

May 8th. — Turned out at daylight and soon found 
the enemy and had a sharp skirmish. The regiment, 
dismounted, advanced in the woods, and engaged the 
enemy's cavalry for three hours, driving them out of 
their fortifications and keeping them moving until 
relieved by the Fifth or Sixth Corps, who kept them 
moving. The regiment then moved to the vicinity of 
Fredericksburg, in a fine open country — expecting 
rest, but finding none, for it remained saddled all 
night. Late in the evening orders were received to be 
in readiness to march at daylight, with five days' short 
rations — to travel as "light" as possible. 

May 9th. — Reveille at 3 a.m. and at daylight started 
toward the Fredericksburg railroad and via Massapo- 
nax Church to Beaverdam Station, arriving there 
about dusk. Had moved around by the right and rear 
of Lee's army, occasionally stirring up his outposts, 
crossed the rivers Ny, Po, Ta and Mab, and arrived at 
Childsburg about five o'clock, capturing a few pris- 
oners and wagons. After resting an hour we moved 
on, fording the North Anna Eiver at Anderson's 
Bridge (which had been destroyed) to within two 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalry. 185 

miles of Beaverdam Station on the Eichmond & 
Gordonsville Eailroad. About 9 p.m. the Sixth New 
York and Seventeenth Pennsylvania, with detach- 
ments from Custer's brigade, made a dash at 
the station, releasing several hundred Federal troops, 
recently captured, who were about to be trans- 
ferred ''on to Richmond" by rail. We overpowered 
the guard and turned them over to their former pris- 
oners. As we approached the station our attention 
was attracted by the moving of the rebel trains. Cus- 
ter's brigade was sent to capture the cars and destroy 
the depot. Two regiments (Sixth New York and Sev- 
enteenth. Pennsylvania) of Devin's brigade, under 
Lieutenant-colonel Crocker (Sixth New York), were 
sent to operate north of the station, while Custer 
worked on the south side. AVe captured and destroyed 
three locomotives and several trains of cars, and a 
large quantity of provisions — flour, bacon, etc. — said 
to have been sufficient to supply Lee 's army for three 
days — all of which we destroyed. Also captured a 
number of wagons and teams. We burned the station 
and cars and tore up the track for a long distance, the 
fire from the ties, cars and buildings making a line of 
lurid light along the evening sky. Went into bivouac 
at 1 a.m. on the lOtli. 

May 10th.— Left Beaverdam Station at daylight 
and marched to Negrofoot, passing through a most 
beautiful country, skirmishing on the way with Wade 
Hampton's division, who had succeeded in capturing 
a scouting party from the regular brigade. At sun- 
down crossed the South Anna River on Ground Squir- 
rel Bridge, and went into bivouac on the south bank on 
the Widow Cross' plantation, the Seventeenth Penn- 
svlvania holding the bridge. The command unsaddled 



186 History of the [1864 

the horses, built fires and prepared supper, although 
the enemy was hovering about and watching our move- 
ments. We were now about twenty miles from Rich- 
mond. Lee's army was on the retreat, with Meade in 
pursuit. We had destroyed nearlj^ ten miles of the 
enemy's railroad, with depots, cars and wagon trains, 
and cut off his communications and supplies for some 
days. 

May 11th. — As we were moving out at 5.30 a.m. we 
were attacked by a small force of the enemy, which we 
drove back, causing but a short delay. Lieutenant- 
colonel Anderson (Seventeenth Pennsylvania), after 
crossing his regiment over, destroyed the bridge. 
Moved forward, First Division in advance, and halted 
at Glen Allen, destroying the Fredericksburg & Eich- 
mond Railroad. Soon after found the enemy on 
Brook turnpike and Ashland road — pretty strong on 
our left. As the column approached the enemy's posi- 
tion, Devin's brigade was in the advance. The Ninth 
New York dismounted in an open field, and other regi- 
ments of the Second, together with the Third Brigade, 
dismounted and formed to the right and left of the 
Ninth New York, extending the line over a mile, sup- 
ported by Custer's brigade, mounted. During this 
engagement at and around Yellow Tavern, the fight- 
ing was very sharp and severe, each and every man 
being called upon to show the mettle of which he was 
made. Captured two guns and about 150 prisoners. 
It was here that the Confederate General, J. E. B. 
Stuart, was mortally wounded, and it was believed it 
was in front of the line of the Ninth New York Cav- 
alry, At about 4 p.m. the Sixth New York was at 
Brook Bridge, three and one-half miles from Rich- 
mond, holding it against the enemy ; and one squadron, 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalry. 187 

Troops D and K, held the first line of the enemy's 
works in front of Richmond, the regiment having 
charged down Brook pike and carried the outer works 
with feeble resistance, being the first Union regiment 
to get so close to the Confederate Capitol. At dnsk 
one squadron, under Major Hall, made a reconnois- 
sance to the Virginia Central Railroad, less than two 
miles from Richmond, and after a slight brush cap- 
tured two couriers with dispatches from General 
Bragg to General Stuart. The ringing of bells and 
whistling of the engines were plainly heard. The 
squadron returned in safety to the regiment. At mid- 
night the cavalry moved noiselessly to the railroad, 
the heavy rain making the movement difficult and dis- 
agreeable. The men and horses were rapidly failing 
under the strain. 

May 12th. — About 3 a.m., as the command moved 
forward, Wilson's division in advance, the horses' 
feet came in contact with wires that exploded a num- 
ber of torpedoes near the second line of works. Sev- 
eral horses having been killed and several men 
wounded by these exploding shells, the rest were 
removed by the aid of the prisoners, who were ordered 
up for that purpose. The owner of one of the neigh- 
boring houses having been reported by the prisoners 
as the principal person who had engaged in planting 
these shells. General Sheridan directed that some of 
them be placed in his cellar and arranged to explode if 
the enemy's column should come that way, while the 
man and his family were taken along as prisoners and 
held until after daylight. At daylight, as we advanced 
to cross the Chickahominy swamp at Meadow Bridge, 
the enemy opened upon us with artillery, keeping up a 
brisk fire for three or four hours, while the division 



188 History of the [1864 

was repairing the bridges across the swamp. The 
Second Division (Wilson's) had been led astray 
before daylight by a guide to the fortifications of 
Richmond, and was shelled most furiously. 

The Sixth New York was dismounted and sent for- 
ward to drive the enemy from the bridge, to clear the 
way for crossing, but was driven back in a hurry. The 
enemy was in a strong position, with artillery, to dis- 
pute our passage. Several regiments were then dis- 
mounted and sent to its support, and the enemy was 
forced back beyond the swamp. At ten o'clock the 
brigade crossed the bridge and drove the enemy back 
for some distance, a drenching rain setting in during 
the engagement. Two small newsboys, with com- 
mendable enterprise, came through the lines, well sup- 
plied with the Eichmond papers, and did a thriving 
business. They were so intelligent and observing, 
and their mission evidently involving other purposes 
than the sale of newspapers, they were held until the 
cavalry crossed the Chickahominy, and were then 
released. Halted at Mechanicsville and got dinner. 
Then moved on via Brandy Branch, meeting the same 
force we had been fighting in the morning. The First 
Division, in the advance, attacked them and captured a 
number, and then moved to Gaines' Mills, which still 
retained many ghastly signs of the former strife, 
halted, unsaddled our weary horses and bivouacked 
for the night. 

May 13tli. — Marched to near Bottom's Bridge with- 
out annoyance and bivouacked for the night, with 
plenty of rain and no rations. 

May 11th. — Marched via Dispatch Station to Bot- 
tom's Bridge, which we crossed at noon, and thence on 
to Malvern Hill, arriving about 1 p.m., where we 



18(U] Sixth New York Cavalry. 189 

received a warm welcome from our gunboats, which, 
from their position about two miles off Haxall's Land- 
ing, threw a few shells among us before we could 
make ourselves known to them. Here we halted for 
rest and supplies, rations and forage having given out 
on the 11th, and men and horses were hungry. Forag- 
ing parties were immediately sent out and man 
and beast were soon well provided for. Here 
good news reached us from the Army of the 
Potomac. Many prisoners and gims had been 
taken, and Lee was retreating, with Meade in close 
pursuit. 

May 15th. — A small supply of rations and forage 
reached the command by transports. About daylight 
the camp was aroused by the booming of heavy guns, 
which proved to be General Butler's attack on Fort 
Darling. 

May 16th. — In the afternoon the Second and Third 
Brigades, under Colonel Devin, started on a reconnois- 
sance up the James Eiver to Chapin's Bluff, about six 
miles, and about three miles out met a small force of 
the enemy; captured an officer and a few men and dis- 
persed the rest. After following them about three 
miles and discovering no large force, returned, after 
dark, without loss. 

May 17th. — Orders were received to be in readiness 
to march at eleven o'clock, but order being counter- 
manded, the horses were unsaddled. At 7.30 p.m. 
"boots and saddles" again sounded, and at nine 
o'clock the column moved out and marched down the 
river about twenty miles, and halted for breakfast 
about daylight of the 18th. A hard night's march, 
sleeping in the saddle and waking in the morning 
minus cap or hat. 



190 History of the [1864 

May 18th. — Moving out soon after daylight the regi- 
ment took the lead of the corps and, crossing the 
Chickahominy at Jones' Bridge, moved up the north 
side of that river to Baltimore Crossroads and 
encamped on the Baltimore and Richmond pike, three 
miles from New Kent C. H., and seven miles from 
White House. There were frequent heavy rains, 
swelling the streams and keeping the roads in a per- 
petual state of mud. 

May 19th. — In bivouac at the crossroads, waiting, 
resting, sending out scouting parties, and enjoying the 
delightful rain and mud. 

May 20th.— Eeveille at 3 a.m. Sheridan, having 
decided to cross the Pamunky River at White House, 
had sent to Fortress Monroe for pontoons. While 
waiting for these he sent Custer up the river to 
destroy the railroad bridge across the South Anna at 
Hanover Station, and the Second and Third Divisions 
to Cold Harbor to demonstrate in the direction of 
Richmond, as far as Mechanicsville, and cover Cus- 
ter's movements. The Ninth New York was sent with 
Custer, the rest of the brigade remaining at the cross- 
roads. 

May 21st. — Moved about 4 a.m. to White House, 
formerly the residence of General W. H. F. Lee, and 
at one time occupied by the Custer family ; during the 
Peninsular Campaign it was used as a hospital. At 
9 a.m. foraging parties were sent out toward Rich- 
mond and procured sufficient supplies for several days' 
use. Heavy cannonading was heard between Meade 
and Lee. In the evening a gunboat and transport 
arrived with supplies. Officers from Cluster's brigade 
came in, reporting the burning of two bridges and cut- 
ting of the railroad, but found the bridge across the 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalry. 191 

South Anna too strongly guarded. After the expedi- 
tion had started on its way to Hanover Station, Gen- 
eral Sheridan discovered that the old railroad bridge 
at White House had been but partly destroyed, the 
timbers and cross ties being in good condition. The 
men of the First Division were sent out in detach- 
ments in the surrounding country for lumber, each 
man bringing in a plank or a board, and soon sufficient 
was accumulated for a flooring and the bridge was 
made serviceable in a day. 

May 22d. — Four transports, guarded by two gmi- 
boats, arrived with rations and forage. By mid-day 
the whole command was bivouacked at White House, 
and at 5 p.m. commenced crossing the rickety struc- 
ture, the men leading their horses. Devin's brigade 
finished crossing about midnight, with the loss of but 
a few horses and mules that went overboard, and 
then encamped about a mile north of the river. Lieu- 
tenant Bell, Sixth New York, acting corps commis- 
sary. 

May 23d. — Moved out at 5 a.m. and marched via 
Lanes ville to King William C. H. The Sixth New 
York, taking the advance of the corps, moved rapidly 
to Aylett's, two miles south of the Mattapony River, 
capturing a large number of horses. Crossed the 
river at 4 p.m. on a bridge of its own construction, and 
remained all night on the north bank of the river, on 
picket and guarding Dunkirk Ferry, the rest of the 
cavalry remaining on the opposite side. 

May 24th. — Left Dunkirk Ferry (or ford) at 9 a.m. 
and, taking the direction of Hanover Junction, passed 
Hebron Church and Concord and to the Bowling 
Green road, bivouacking near Polecat River after a 
hard, dry, dusty march. 



192 Ilistorij of the [18G4 

May 25th. — Moved out early and marched to Ches- 
terfield Station, at which point we crossed the railroad 
and encamped three miles to the northwest. Supply 
train arrived via Port Royal, twenty miles distant. 
Mail that had been accumulating for nearly a month 
reached us at this point, bringing gladness and joy to 
the heart of many a weary trooper. A very heavy 
rain-storm coming up every one and everything was 
thoroughly soaked. General Torbert, having returne 1 
to duty, now took command of the division (First). 

May 26th. — Moved at noon and marched via Ches- 
terfield and Concord Church and Lee's woods on 
toward Mangohick, and at 8.30 p.m. halted about 
twelve miles south from Chesterfield and about two 
miles from Mangohick. After a short halt to rest the 
horses, moved on again, marching all night, and halted 
at daybreak at Hanovertown Ferry on the north bank 
of the Pamunky for a short rest and sleep. 

May 27th. — At 7 a.m. three boatloads of Custer's 
men were thrown across the river, who, after a little 
skirmishing, cleared the opposite bank of the enemy. 
The pontoon bridge was then thrown across and the 
First Division crossed over. Found Gordon's Con- 
federate brigade about a mile from the river, which 
we drove over the road, the Second Brigade capturing 
about thirty of the Third North Carolina Cavalry. 
The prisoners were fine looking fellows, well dressed 
and clean — such an unusual thing that it was notice- 
able. We rested on the field at night, weary from the 
tiresome march of upward of thirty-five miles. 

May 28th. — All quiet through the night. No bugle 
calls allowed. All moves made in silence. The Sixth 
Corps moved up and relieved our skirmish line, and 
we moved to the support of Gregg, who was fighting 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalry. 193 

on onr left at Salem Church. The artillery fire was 
very sharp. We drove the enemy, although our losses 
were heavy in carrying a strong position. Were 
relieved b}^ the Second Division, Second Corps, about 
dark, and went into camp near the bridge. 

May 29tli. — At 9 a.m. a foraging party of the Sixth 
New York discovered a large force of the enemy's cav- 
alry moving to our left at a double quick. The party 
returned at once to camp and, making a report, the 
brigade was ordered farther to the left, where it found 
Gregg's division and Custer's brigade already engag- 
ing the enemy. It formed and remained in line of 
battle until the enemy fell back, forced by our cavalry. 
At 4- p.m. we moved farther to the left of our line, 
parallel with the Pamunky River, where we halted 
about six miles from the river and bivouacked, the 
Sixth New York going on picket for the night. 

May 30th. — In readiness to move at 4 a.m. At nine 
o'clock marched to Old Church and threw out a line of 
pickets. Those of the Seventeenth Pennsylvania on 
the Cold Harbor road were attacked in force about 
noon. The balance of the brigade was brought up dis- 
mounted and advanced, and soon our whole front was 
a line of fire and smoke. The Third Brigade coming 
up, the two brigades were soon engaged and the enemy 
was being forced back when, suddenly, our left for 
some reason gave way, causing the whole line to fall 
back a short distance to a good position, where it 
formed. At that moment Custer's brigade came to 
our aid, and with a rush and a yell that made the hills 
and woodland resound, the "Wolverines" charged 
the "greybacks," pouring deadly volleys from their 
seven-shooters, which caused the enemy to break and 
fall back in precipitate flight, while the whole line rap- 

13 



194 History of the [1864 

idly pursued in the direction of Bottom's Bridge. The 
enemy consisted of Butler's South Carolina Brigade 
and Hampton's Legions. Halted for the night about 
seven miles from Bottom's Bridge. Speaking about 
the ''seven-shooter" carbines reminds me that a Con- 
federate officer captured asked me if we sat up all 
night to load our guns to shoot at them in the day- 
time. Lieut. Jno. W. Blunt, wounded in thigh; 
James Wright and Harry G. Cooper, Company I, 
wounded ; George Andrews, Company K, killed. 

May 31st.— "Boots and saddles" at 2.30 a.m. and 
prepared for an attack. The weather was very warm 
and the roads were many inches deep with dust. At 
4 p.m. the brigade moved out (in connection with Mer- 
ritt's and Custer's) and gave the enemy battle in the 
vicinity of Cold Harbor. The Sixth New York was 
held in reserve to charge, if a favorable opportunity 
presented itself. The fighting was very severe until 
dark, when the enemy retreated, leaving us in posses- 
sion of their earthworks on the Meadow Bridge road, 
about five miles from the bridge and eight miles from 
Bottom's Bridge. At dark we built barricades along 
the road, and at ten o 'clock fell back about three miles 
and stood to horse all night. 

June 1st. — Eeturned to Cold Harbor before day- 
light and reoccupied the works before the enem}^ knew 
we had evacuated them, immediately throwing up 
a line of breastworks. Daj^break found us still hold- 
ing our barricaded position of the previous night, and 
brought us the information that we were confronting 
parts of Lee's and Butler's cavalry, and Hoke's and 
Kershaw's divisions of infantry. Devin's brigade 
formed, with Custer's brigade on the right. At 6 a.m. 
the enemy made a sudden attack on the right, which 



1SG4] Sixth New York Cavalry. 195 

the Micliigau boys met right gallantly, their seven- 
shooters doing effective work, while the batteries in 
the rear did great execution; the fight lasted about an 
hour, when the enemy fell back, leaving more than a 
hundred of their dead and wounded on the field. 
After that, sharpshooting was kept \\.\) until about ten 
o'clock, when the Sixth Corps arrived and relieved us, 
and continued the fighting. The cavalry then moved 
toward the Chickahominy and covered the left of the 
infantry line till Hancock arrived at 2 p.m., when it 
moved to Prospect Church and went into bivouac. The 
infantry soon became heavily engaged and the roar of 
artillery and musketry was continuous until long after 
dark, and was kept up, at intervals, the greater part of 
the night. 

June 2d. — At 7 a.m. took the road to Dispatch Sta- 
tion. Halted for several hours in support of Gregg, 
who was fighting on the infantry's left. Then resumed 
the march to Bottom's Bridge, which we found in 
possession of the enemy. The Sixth New York, in the 
advance, came up with a force of the enemy, and after 
considerable skirmishing drove them across the 
bridge. As the regiment approached the bridge to 
reconnoitre, it was greeted with a few shells from the 
enemy's fortifications beyond the Chickahominy, one 
of which killed three horses and took off a man's foot 
(Aaron Byington, Company I). At 4 p.m. the regi- 
ment went on picket, holding the bridge all night, the 
division encamping a mile to the rear. It rained very 
hard all night. 

June 3d.— Still raining. All quiet, except that the 
rebel sharpshooters were busy. Regiment was relieved 
at 10 a.m. by the Seventeenth Pennsylvania and fell 
back, but remained within gunshot of the bridge. 



196 History of the fl864 

June 4th. — At 5 a.m. left Bottom's Bridge and 
marched to the right wing of the army and encamped 
at Hall's Shop, a short distance to the rear, near Old 
Church. Rain in afternoon. 

June 5th. — Marched to Studley, the birthplace and 
residence of Patrick Henry, near Totopotomoy Creek. 
Rain. 

June 6th. — Reveille at 2.30 a.m. At sunrise marched 
to Little Page's Ford, on the Pamunky River, near 
Hanovertown, and bivouacked on Ruffin's farm. 
Major Ruffin was the rebel who fired the first shot on 
the old flag at Sumter. 

June 7th.— Reveille at daylight. Moved at 5.30 to 
a point near the pontoon bridge and remained in an 
open field (very hot) until 1 p.m., and then crossed the 
Pamunky on pontoons at Newcastle Ferry, and biv- 
ouacked about midnight near Aylett's. Major Wil- 
liam P. Hall of the Sixth New York was taken pris- 
oner while with the rear guard. 

June 8th. — Marched to near Athens, crossing the 
Fredericksburg & Richmond Railroad at Polecat 
Station and bivouacked in a plowed field. Marched 
all day. 

June 9th. — Moved out at eight o'clock and marched 
all day, passing through Childsburg and Newmarket, 
halting near the latter place. The horses were begin- 
ning to show the strain of the hard service, 150 of 
them in the division giving out in the afternoon's 
march. 

June 10th. — Moved at 5 a.m. via Hallstown, Good 
Hope Church and on toward Orange C. H. When 
leaving Newmarket, the rear guard, Ninth New York, 
was attacked; moved on, crossing the North Branch 
and North Anna, halting about three miles from Tre- 



18G4] Sixth New York Cavalry. 197 

vilians Station on the Virginia Central Railroad, nine 
miles from Gordonsville and six miles from Louisa 
C. H. The Seventeenth Pennsylvania was sent to a 
rebel hospital near Spottsylvania C. H., where it 
fonnd about 300 wounded and took about thirty pris- 
oners, including a major. 

June 11th.— Eeveille at 3.30. Marched at 5.30, First 
Division in advance, in direction of Louisa C. H. 
About eight o'clock came up with the enemy in force 
and engaged them at Trevilians Station, Custer mak- 
ing a dash at the station by the left and capturing 
about 150 prisoners and a number of horses. For a 
while the Sixth New York supported the battery. The 
Sixth and Ninth New York then made a charge near 
the station, capturing about 100 prisoners. Colonel 
Sackett, Ninth New York, fell, mortally wounded. After 
a hard fight the two brigades drove the enemy back in 
disorder to the station, capturing a great many pris- 
oners, the enemy leaving the most of their dead and 
wounded in our hands. About noon we were ordered 
to the right — to the station. As we reached that posi- 
tion the enemy came out of the woods in our front and 
opened upon us with artillery and musketry, but our 
battery, getting in position, soon drove them under 
cover of the woods. When we were not fighting, we 
were in line of battle. Our opponents were Hamp- 
ton's cavalry and Butler's infantry, said to have been 
about 10,000 strong, while our force numbered 
about 6000 cavalry. The Seventeenth Pennsylvania 
returned in the afternoon with a major and thirty-five 
men from the hospital, after a very hard march, dur- 
ing which they were attacked by guerrillas, sustaining 
a loss of three men wounded. The horses remained 
saddled all night, the brigade remaining on the skir- 



198 Historij of the [1864 

misli line. One squadron of the Sixth New York was 
sent to the left with a staff officer to find General Cus- 
ter; found him and found more — they were cut off 
and surrounded by the enemy, and in cutting their 
way out a number were captured. 

June 12th. — All was quiet. We were on the extreme 
front, on the main road north of Trevilians Station — 
the enemy was falling back or changing base. At 3.30 
p.m. the regular brigade (Merritt's) had just passed, 
going toward the forks of the Gordonsville and Me- 
chanicsville turnpike. Sheridan and his staff had just 
passed to the front; the railroad was being torn up 
and destroyed, when, about four o'clock, the enemy 
advanced and made an attack, the First Division and 
one brigade of Gregg's engaging him, the fighting con- 
tinuing until after dark. About 5 p.m. the Fourth and 
Sixth New York were ordered at a gallop to the 
extreme right to strengthen the line held by Merritt, 
and also to flank the enemy's left, if possible. The 
order was quickly carried out; we dismounted and 
advanced, the Sixth New York on the right. Accord- 
ing to Merritt's own special order we advanced 
"toward the setting sun" and were soon at work at 
the enemy, who retreated before us for a mile and a 
half. At sunset the battle became doubly furious, we 
having driven the enemy until he was strongly 
reinforced, which gave us a sudden check. For a short 
time after sunset the fighting was fierce, their larger 
numbers giving us volley after volley, when a heavy 
movement on our right, and an enfilading fire from 
one of their batteries, caused us to fall back, placing 
our whole division in a critical position, being fol- 
lowed by a heavy force. But a longer stand was 
impossible against such odds, and a general retreat of 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalry. 199 

the whole line was necessary. At eight o'clock we got 
a good position on a hill a mile back from our battle- 
line, and held it until eleven o 'clock, during which time 
the enemy amused us by throwing numerous shells 
along our line — appearing like a celebration with sky- 
rockets, but doing us no damage. About eleven 
o'clock we fell back to our lead horses, mounted and 
rode back two miles and halted to rest. Lewis Hane- 
gan. Company I, wounded. 

June 13th. — Started about 1 a.m. Crossed the 
North Anna Eiver and halted at 9 a.m. for rest and 
breakfast. Eesumed the march at ten o'clock and 
halted at 2 p.m. at Quitman's (or Troyman's) store on 
the North Branch, where we bivouacked. All quiet 
during the night, except for picket-firing. 

June 14th. — Left Quitman's at 6 a.m. with Second 
Brigade as rear guard, and marched ten miles. Hamp- 
ton was reported as making for us, but was careful 
not to disturb us. Went into bivouac near Shady 
Grove Church, Found a major of the Eighteenth 
Pennsylvania Cavalry, who lost his leg near 
Todd's Tavern and was left in the enemy's hands as 
dead. 

June 15th. — Left at 8 a.m. and marched all day; 
the heat and dust were almost suffocating. Marched 
in advance, passing through Spottsylvania C. H. 
and over parts of the late battle-field, bivouacking 
near Guineys Station, on the farm of Captain Schuy- 
ler of the Confederate Ordnance Department. Our 
horses, especially the artillery, were fast playing out. 

June 16th. — Marched at 6 a.m. in rear of Gregg, 
crossing the Mattapony and railroad, and passing 
through Bowling Green and Madison, and encamped 
for the night near Sparta or Beverly Run. 



200 History of the [1864 

June 17th. — Moved early, and crossing Beverly 
Run passed through Newtown, leaving Dunkirk, about 
two miles to our right, and camped for the night near 
Walkerton. The intense heat and almost blinding 
dust made the marching very distressing. A large 
column of freed slaves followed the command. Word 
was received that Major Hall was in Libby Prison. 

June 18th. — Moved at 9 a.m. and marched via Walk- 
erton, crossing the Mattapony, and thence on through 
immense clouds of dust that nearly eclipsed the sun- 
light. Passed Colonel Dahlgren's grave by the road- 
side. At 4 p.m. bivouacked at King and Queen C. H. 
Supplies had been exhausted for over a month, and we 
had lived entirely on the country. The regiment was 
reorganized about this time, being formed into four 
squadrons. 

June 19th. — Eeveille at 4 a.m. Moved out at 8 a.m., 
the Sixth New York in advance and, countermarching, 
halted at noon at Walkerton, and arrived at Dunkirk 
Ferry about 5 p.m. and bivouacked. The advance 
guard, two squadrons of the Sixth New York, swam 
the river. The wagon train came up with one day's 
rations and forage. 

June 20th. — At 10 a.m. resumed the march, with 
Sixth New York as rear guard; crossed at Dunkirk 
Ferry and passed through Aylett's and King William 
C. H. to the north bank of the Pamunky River oppo- 
site White House, and encamped. Part of the cavalry 
crossed the river to White House and were attacked 
by the enemy that had made an attempt to capture our 
wagon train, but were repulsed by the gunboats, dis- 
mounted cavalry and some infantry. The Fourth New 
York had been left with the pontoon train to wait for 
the wagons. 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalry. 201 

June 21st. — Reveille at 3 a.m. Moved out at four 
o'clock and crossed the Pamunky on the railroad 
bridge, with Merritt in the advance. The Second Bri- 
gade was ordered up to find the enemy; advanced 
toward St. Peter's Church and soon found them in 
force; the Seventeenth Pennsylvania was dismounted 
and sent forward; the Ninth New York then dis- 
mounted and advanced, the Sixth New York taking a 
position on the left, the enemy holding a position on a 
ridge in front, with a gully or ravine between. The 
Sixth New York advanced, but the enemy, after about 
three hours' fighting, had retired from our front. 
Then advanced our line to the Tunstall Station road 
and St. Peter's Church. Devin's brigade was alone 
on the line. The enemy's forces consisted of the cav- 
alry of Hampton, Lee, Hoke and Butler, numbering 
about 5000. We contented ourselves with holding the 
position already gained. The enemy opened upon us 
with shot, shell and bullets, but soon the firing on both 
sides ceased, the enemy evacuated the church, and we 
took possession, the Sixth New York holding it imtil 
sunset, and was then relieved by the Ninth New York. 
This church was built in 1723 and was the one in which 
George Washington was married. 

June 22.— Reveille at 3.30. "Boots and saddles" at 
3.45. At 10 a.m. marched via Baltimore Crossroads, 
Mt. Olivet Church and Jones' Bridge, on the Chicka- 
hominy. Found a small force of the enemy at the 
bridge attempting to destroy it. These were quickly 
driven away by the advance, the bridge repaired, and 
the regiment crossed over, followed by the division, 
and marched two miles beyond, the regiment going on 
picket to hold the different roads leading to James 
River. 



202 History of the [1864 

June 23d. — In the morning the Ninth New York was 
ordered to move on to Charles City C. H. and patrol 
the road to Windham's Landing and Wilcox's Wharf. 
Devin, with the rest of the brigade, had moved up the 
south side of the Chickahominy toward Long Bridge. 
At 1 p.m. the pickets of the Sixth New York, under 
Captain Wales, were suddenly attacked by a large 
force and driven in ; the regiment went at once to their 
support and a sharp action took place, the enemy 
being much superior in numbers. Soon the Fourth 
New York and Seventeenth Pennsylvania and six com- 
panies of colored troops just from the White House 
came to their support, and a fierce but short engage- 
ment ended in the entire rout of the enemy, which 
proved to be Chambliss' brigade. Drove them back 
two or three miles and then returned. The casualties 
in the regiment were quite heavy, among the killed 
being Corporals Samuel A. Fanshaw and David Phil- 
lips of Troop I, and Sergeant Samuel May, wounded. 

June 24:th. — Reveille at 2.30 a.m. At ten o'clock 
marched in rear of the wagon train to Charles City 
C. H., arriving near there at 4 p.m., the train having 
been delayed by a small force of the enemy in our 
front. Just before dark sharp firing was heard on our 
right, when the regiment was ordered to picket the 
road, but soon meeting Gregg's men were relieved, and, 
marching toward Harrison's Landing, halted about 
half a mile from the James River and encamped. At 
eleven o'clock were ordered out, and went back on the 
same road to the relief of Gregg, who had been fight- 
ing hard, having been attacked by Hampton with his 
corps. Devin reported to General Getty, and the bri- 
gade lay in line all night in support of the infantry. 
The dust was almost stifling, while the heat was 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalry. 203 

intense, the sun blazing down in all its fierceness. 
(The writer well remembers it, for he dropped like a 
shot from his saddle, and bnt for the prompt help of 
his comrades another grave might have been made on 
that road to the James.) 

June 25tli. — Remained on the line until about 9 a.m. 
All was quiet, when we were ordered to withdraw, 
and marched to Wilcox's Landing, on the James, 
where we went into camp. 

June 26tli. — In camp at Wilcox's Landing, resting 
ourselves and horses, and trying to keep cool and hide 
from the ever-searching dust. 

June 27tli. — Still at Wilcox's Landing. John Bark- 
ley, the sutler, came up with stores at City Point, and 
was cordially greeted by the men of the regiment. 
Were likewise visited by some delightful showers dur- 
ing the forenoon. 

June 28th. — Saddled up at 6.30 a.m. and at eight 
o'clock marched down to the river, and at noon 
boarded the steamer Jefferson, and crossed over to 
the side directly opposite to the landing and encamped 
about 7 p.m. near Windmill Point (there appears to be 
an error in the records about the name of the landing 
just left, some calling it AVilcox's, others AVilson's, 
and still others Wyanoke). 

June 29th. — Saddle up at 3 p.m. and at five o'clock 
marched to Prince Greorge C. H., where we found a 
part of Burnside's corps; stood "to horse" all night, 
waiting an expected attack from Hampton, who was 
said to be threatening the rear of our army. Skir- 
mishing continued all night at the front toward 
Petersburg. 

June 30th. — Left Prince George C. H. at 8 a.m. 
and moved toward the left wing of the army, crossing 



204 History of the [1864 

Blackwater Creek and the Norfolk & Petersburg 
Railroad, picking up, on the way, a number of Wilson's 
stragglers (his loss was much less than at first 
reported). Went into bivouac near Jerusalem plank 
road. 

July 1st. — Eeveille at three o'clock and marched to 
a point near Jerusalem and near Blackwater River for 
the relief of Wilson. The command was without 
rations, but was mustered for pay at Lee's Mill, with 
small parties of rebels in the vicinity, looking for 
some of those "greenbacks" evidently, which no 
doubt they scented. 

July 2d. — The train arrived with supplies. At 8 
a.m. marched back to the James River, reaching it at 
sunset, and went into camp at Lighthouse Point, 
almost exhausted. The dust was so thick as to hide 
the man at one's side; the centre of the column was 
indescribable. 

July 3d. — All quiet in camp. No cannonading. The 
men took advantage of the opportunity to wash off the 
accumulated dirt by bathing in the James River. 

July 4th. — At 4 p.m. moved camp about a mile to a 
better location, but still on the James, where we had a 
fine view of the shipping around City Point. 

July 5th to 16th. — In camp and on picket. The 
weather continued extremely hot. The camps were 
rife with rumors of rebel raids in Maryland — of Ewell, 
with a strong force, having crossed the Potomac at 
Point of Rocks ; of Hunter having been driven out of 
the Shenandoah Valley ; of Harper's Ferry being in 
possession of the enemy, and of the grand trestle work 
and iron railroad bridge being destroyed; of Mary- 
land, Pennsylvania and New York calling out the 
militia to check the invaders ; of a battle near Monoc- 



18G4] Sixth New York Cavalry. 205 

acy Eiver, between Generals Wallace and Early, and 
of great excitement in Baltimore and Washington, and 
of the citizens arming for protection. 

July 12th.— Government bought all horses belong- 
ing to enlisted men. 

July 15tli. — Moved camp to near City Point. 

July 16th.— Eeceived orders to relieve Gregg's 
division picketing near the left of the army. Marched 
about 6 a.m. via Prince George C. H. and relieved 
Colonel Bryan, taking up his line on the extreme left 
of the army, about five miles from Petersburg, the 
Sixth New York going on picket. 

July 17th.^ — All was quiet on our lines, but the 
infantry kept up their customary skirmishing on 
Burnside's front with heavy cannonading. 

July 18th. — Deserters and refugees coming in 
reported a movement on our left. The picket-lines 
were but about fifty yards apart. Regiment prepared 
for action at 3 a.m., expecting an attack. Enemy 
made a dash and drove in the men on the right, and 
charged on the line, but we soon pushed them back and 
took up the line again. 

July 19th. — Heavy rain, the first in over two months. 
The pickets of the Sixth New York were attacked, but 
the line was held. About 8 p.m. Colonel Chapman's 
brigade arrived to relieve us. 

July 20th.— Reserve was called out at 2 a.m. to 
repel another attack on the picket-line. Believed at 
7 a.m., and returned to camp between Lighthouse 
Point and City Point. 

July 21st. — All quiet in camp. The officers of the 
brigade presented Colonel Devin with a horse and 
equipments. Lieutenant-colonel George S. Nichols, 
Ninth New York Cavalry, making the presentation 



206 History of the [1864 

speech. It is but proper to add that there was much 
good cheer on the occasion, the band of the Seven- 
teenth Pennsylvania adding its share in good music, 

July 22d. — Brigade inspected by General Torbert. 

To 25th. — All quiet in camp. 

July 26th. — Orders were received to move in the 
afternoon. Left camp at four o'clock, the Cavalry 
Corps forming in line in a field. At five o'clock the 
column moved toward City Point, and at dark crossed 
the Appomattox on pontoons at Point of Rocks; 
thence on via General Butler's headquarters to beyond 
Bermuda Hundred and bivouacked at Jones' Neck at 
1 a.m. 27th. Company I numbered but twenty-three 
men. 

July 27tli. — The corps commenced crossing the 
James Eiver on pontoons about sunrise. There were 
two gunboats and monitor near the crossing. Bar- 
low's division of Hancock's corps attacked the 
enemy's works on the east side of Bailey's Creek, and, 
aided by the cavalry moving on his right, captured 
four thirty-two pounders early in the morning. 
Drove in the enemy's cavalry, capturing about a 
dozen. At noon the Sixth New York was sent on 
recounoissance to Malvern Hill; found no enemy and 
returned to division at six o'clock; found it massed 
between Malvern Hill and Newmarket. 

THE FIGHT AT DEEP BOTTOM. 

July 28th. — At ten o'clock the enemy's infantry, in 
force, made an attack on Merritt's front, driving his 
pickets in and soon after forcing his whole line back. 
The regular brigade was sent forward, but was soon 
driven back upon our camp. Devin's brigade was 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalry. 207 

ordered out, dismounted, charging and routing tliem 
completely. The enemy's bullets were coming in thick 
and fast before the brigade was formed in line, but the 
bugle soon sounded "forward" and then "charge," 
when the brigade, with the Sixth New York in the cen- 
tre, rushed on to meet the enemy, with cheers of ven- 
geance that made the old woods on either flank ring, 
and the valley in the rear re-echo back the victory. 
Soon the tide of battle turned — volley after volley 
from our well-aimed carbines forced the enemy to 
retire with considerable speed to a fence a half mile 
beyond, where they sought to make a stand. Now 
came the ''nip and tuck." The Sixth New York was 
in an open field, exposed to the fire of a division of 
infantry; lying close to the ground, we gave them a 
well-directed volley, then up, and with loud cheers 
made a charge for the fence, during which our revol- 
vers were freely used, and drove the enemy back in 
confusion to the thick woods beyond, leaving us mas- 
ters of the field. Such fighting was seldom seen; we 
had but three regiments of dismounted cavalry against 
a division of North and South Carolina infantry 
under General Wilcox of A. P. Hill's corps. It was a 
pleasant sight to see those great, tall Carolinians go 
across that field on a hen canter. Three stands of 
colors, two taken by the Ninth and one by the Sixth, 
were among the trophies of the brigade. The flag cap- 
tured by the Sixth New York, I think, was taken by 
George Funk, Company K. One of the regiments of 
regular cavalry in Merritt's brigade also captured a 
flag. After the fight, which was near the Newmarket 
road, Henrico County, and called by Sheridan "the 
victory of Darbytown," we were relieved by a part of 
the Second Corps and, retiring to our horses, fell back 



208 History of the [1864 

a short distance and bivouacked. Saddled np during; 
the night, and stood to horse until morning. John 
McAfee, Company I, killed, and E. A. D. Harmon mor- 
tally wounded. 

July 29th. — At 1 a.m. crossed the river, the bridge 
being covered with hay to deaden the sound of the 
horses ' hoofs ; dismounted, and about sunrise returned 
to the north side of the river, leaving our horses on the 
south side and, taking up a position, lay in line of 
battle all day. Soon after dark fell back and recrossed 
the river to camping-place. Place was known as Tur- 
key Bend. 

July 30th. — At 2 a.m. left our position on the right 
and. marching via the plank road, and in rear of Burn- 
side's position, having a clear view of the fighting at 
Petersburg, we reached the extreme left of the army, 
near the Blackwater, and camped. 

July 31st. — About 2 a.m. marched to Lee's Mills and 
relieved Gregg's division. At 11 a.m. were relieved 
by Kantz, and marched to City Point, arriving there 
about 4 p.m. If I had not made previous frequent 
mention of the great heat and excessive dust, would be 
tempted to use some heavy language in a further 
attempt to describe it. 

Aug. 1st. — Orders were received for the First 
Division to embark for Washington. The day was 
spent in shipping the regular brigade, General Torbert 
going in the mail boat. Fourth New York embarked. 

Aug. 2d. — Through delay in transportation we 
remained quietly in camp. 

Aug. 3d. — Colonel Devin and part of his staff left by 
the mail-boat at 10 a.m. Others boarded the blockade 
runner "Exchange" about eleven o'clock and, leav- 
ing Fort Powhatan on the right, anchored near New- 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalry. 209 

port News about 10 p.m. Part of the regiment 
embarked on the steamer "Highland Light." The 
writer left on this date — very sick — very weak. 

Aug. 4th.— The ' ' Exchange ' ' hoisted anchor at day- 
break and steamed on, passing Newport News about 
sunrise ; soon after passed Hampton, Fort Monroe and 
Rip Eaps ; the church spires of Norfolk could be seen 
across the "Roads;" passed Point Lookout about sun- 
set and anchored in the Potomac. The steamer 
"Highland Light" left City Point at daylight and 
started down the James River. The rest of the regi- 
ment marched to City Point and embarked at 10 a.m. ; 
the steamer was shelled by a rebel battery, but a few 
well-directed shots from one of our gunboats forced it 
to retire. 

Aug. 5th.— Arrived at Washington in afternoon and 
bivouacked at Camp Stoneman. 

Aug. 6th.— Saddled up at 3 a.m. and had the horses 
shod, and then prepared for the advance. Left camp 
at dark, marched over the bridge across the east 
branch of the Potomac, thence down Pennsylvania 
Avenue to Georgetown, and took the Tenallytown 
pike; marched about ten miles and bivouacked at 
2 a.m. (7tli) in a cornfield. 

Aug. 7th. — "Boots and saddles" at 5 a.m. Moved out 
at six o 'clock and marched via Rockville and Darnes- 
town, and to within four miles of Monocacy River and 
bivouacked at sunset, having covered thirty miles. As 
we passed through Rockville the band of the Seven- 
teenth Pennsylvania struck up "Battle Flag," while 
the people flocked to the sidewalks, doors and win- 
dows, evacuating churches and dwellings alike, to gaze 
upon Sheridan's Invincibles, riding unconcerned 
through their town. Beautiful feminines, adorned in 

14 



210 History of the [1864 

beauteous array, gave us many a charming smile ; and 
the colored population, dressed in snow-white apparel, 
vied with "massa" and "missis," disclosing their 
ivories and white eyes with pleasure to see the Yankee 
"sodgers" come. Writer in ambulance. 

Aug. 8th. — Left camp at 7 a.m. and, crossing the 
Monocacy near its mouth, moved via Catoctin Station 
and Creek and Sandy Hook, and at dark reached our 
old camping-ground in Pleasant Valley, after a very 
hot and dusty march of twenty-five miles. Learned 
that Major-general Philip H. Sheridan had been 
assigned to the command of the troops in the Shenan- 
doah Valley, to be known as the Middle Military 
Division. The Army of the Shenandoah was com- 
posed of the troops of West Virginia, under Greneral 
Crook (the Eighth Corps) ; one division of the Nine- 
teenth Corps, under General Dwight; the Sixth Corps, 
commanded by Greneral Wright, and the First Cavalry 
Division (Torbert's), and later the cavalry under Gen- 
eral Averill. Torbert having been made chief of cav- 
alry, Merritt took command of the First Division. 
Still in ambulance. Covered seventy miles in two 
days. 

Aug. 9th. — Left Pleasant Valley at 7 a.m. and cross- 
ing the Potomac on a pontoon bridge at Harper's 
Ferry marched about four miles out on the Winches- 
ter turnpike, and encamped at Halltown on Mr. Flem- 
ing's farm. Captain Titus took command of Com- 
pany I. Left ambulance. 

Aug. 10th. — Beveille at three o'clock; marched at 
4.30 a.m. via Charlestown and Berr^^ille, and to with- 
in six miles of Winchester, coming up with the enemy 
at Millwood, having covered about thirty miles. The 
Sixth New York went on picket. The country was 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalry. 211 

rich and healthful, with plenty of good water. The 
rebels were just ahead of us, clearing the country of 
its crops. 

Aug. 11th.— Marched at an early hour toward New- 
town, and thence toward Nineveh, and foimd the 
enemy strongly posted behind stone walls. The Sixth 
New York attempted to make a mounted charge, but 
after jumping over a half dozen walls, in the face of 
the enemy's fire, was obliged to fall back, dismount, 
and fight it out on foot. Advanced and soon dislodged 
them from behind their stone defenses and drove them 
to the cover of the woods, where they made another 
stand. Our artillery was then brought up and opened 
upon them for half an hour, to which they responded 
with their big guns, dropping the shot and shell among 
us rapidly and accurately. Continued the advance 
toward Newtown, the regular brigade and a part of 
Devin's engaging a part of Early's forces, a brigade 
of Gordon's division in a hot encounter till sun- 
down, when the enemy retreated. The Sixth New 
York was sent on a reconnoissance toward Nineveh 
pike; found the enemy's pickets and returned to the 
main column after dark and bivouacked on the battle- 
field. 

Aug. 12th. — Brigade marched at 6 a.m., Sixth New 
York in advance ; passed through Newtown and by the 
"Winchester ''back road" to Fawcett's Gap in the 
Cumberland range; thence to Cedar Creek Church and 
halted near a mammoth spring, cold as ice. After 
resting about half an hour, the Fourth New York was 
sent to the gap and the Sixth New York forward on 
the Strasburg road in pursuit of the rebel wagon train 
and its rear guard. Marched on a trot, steadily gain- 
ing on them and got within pistol range, three miles 



212 Histonj of the [1864 

from Strasburg, when we charged upon them, firing 
and yelling, for a mile, till they reached the woods and 
their supports, when we gave up the chase, the 
enemy's horses being fresher and fleeter than ours. 
At night marched to Middletown and encamped. 

Aug. 13th. — Moved across Cedar Creek, then coun- 
termarched and went into camp near the creek. In 
the afternoon the brigade marched to the Shenandoah 
River, opposite Front Royal, and went on picket duty 
on the left, near Cedarville. A train of nearly 300 
wagons, with supplies, guarded by two 100-day infan- 
try regiments, whose time had nearly expired, was on 
its way to the front from Harper's Ferry, when, while 
passing Berryville, Mosby with about 200 mounted 
men charged the rear of the train, capturing several 
hundred mules and horses, with many of the drivers 
and the mail, and destroyed many of the wagons. 
Major Sawyer, the paymaster (who was on his way to 
pay the brigade), was with the train, his strong box, 
containing $125,000 in greenbacks, being in one of the 
wagons. The box was not discovered, but the horses 
were taken and the wagon set on fire. Poor Johnnies ! 
I wonder if they ever learned afterward what a pile of 
good money they missed. Barkley, the sutler of the 
Sixth New York, not finding it was "hard lines" for 
Mosby, was not so fortunate, however, as they took $700 
from him, as well as the money, watches and other val- 
uables from the teamsters. Nearly all the wagons of 
the reserve brigade and about a dozen of Devin's were 
destroyed. After the guerrillas had left, some of the 
guard rallied and saved some of the wagons that had 
been fired, the paymaster's being among the number. 
It was reported that the guard, of which nearly 200 
were with this section of the train, scarcely fired a shot 



1864] Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 213 

until the enemj^ had begun to leave. One or two team- 
sters were killed, a number wounded, and about forty 
taken prisoners. Before guards could be placed about 
the rescued wagons citizens of Berryville were caught 
plundering them of hardtack, coffee, etc. It is need- 
less to say that Major Sawyer was the happy recipient 
of hearty congratulations on his appearance in 
Devin's camp. 

Aug. 14th. — Still on picket at Cedarville. Had 
much fun bathing in the creek, and doing up our laun- 
dry. 

Aug. 15th. — Still picketing at Cedarville. The 
enemy was in strong force at Front Royal, with 
reinforcements on the way from Gulpeper. Major 
Beardsley of the Sixth New York arrived with what 
was left of the wagon train. Mahnken, Gating and 
the Doctor lost their baggage. Major Sawyer com- 
menced at once to pay off the brigade. The Fourth 
New York was sent on a reconnoissance to Manassas 
Gap and brought back several prisoners. 

Aug. 16tli. — About 4 p.m. General Merritt arrived 
with the First and Third Brigades. Major Sawyer 
was busy paying off the Sixth New York when the 
enemy in force attacked our pickets on the Front 
Royal pike. The Major immediately ''shut up shop," 
leaving the regiment partly unpaid, saying he 
''wanted to see the cavalry fight." The Fourth New 
York was ordered to the support of the pickets, arriv- 
ing on the field just as the enemy charged our line and 
was forcing it back. They at once went in mounted 
and drove them back in confusion, capturing a number 
of prisoners. The Sixth New York marched straight 
up the pike, under a heavy fire from the enemy 's artil- 
lery, which was posted in a choice position on a hill 



214 History of the [1864 

near the river overlooking the country for miles. We 
found the Fourth New York on our front engaging 
the enemy, who had rallied and was preparing to 
advance again. The Sixth wheeled to the right and 
took up a position in a ravine out of range, the shot, 
shell and hullets passing over and around us. We 
had been in the ravine but a short time when a full 
regiment came charging upon us with drawn sabres. 
We were but two squadrons, the rest of the regiment 
having gone to the left of the field to engage the 
enemy's infantry. We reserved our fire until the 
enemy was upon us, and before they knew it we 
poured into their ranks a destructive fire, and then, a 
sabre charge being ordered, dashed forward, but the 
enemy would not stand our steel, and turned and fled. 
Again they rallied, and again we repulsed them and 
drove them to the river and to their reserve, when, 
seeing their superior numbers, we retired. They fol- 
lowed us, but as we receiv^ed reinforcements, the 
enemy fell back across the river. The two regiments 
(Fourth and Sixth) captured two battle-flags, 139 
prisoners and a number of horses. Custer com- 
ing up on our left completed the rout, capturing 
about 130 prisoners. We fought cavalry, infantry 
and artillery. The rebel cavalry charge was led by 
General Wickham with great gallantry and coolness; 
he was at one time within fifty feet of us; the 
two forces were so close to each other that the artil- 
lery^ ceased firing. During the cavalry fight on the 
right our Second Battalion charged upon and drove a 
whole brigade of Georgia infantry, on the left, taking 
128 prisoners. A part of the Fourth and Ninth New 
York were engaged, and each regiment took a stand of 
colors from the enemy and a total number of 500 pris- 



1864] Sixth New York Cavahij. 215 

oners; the lucky (or unlucky) ones who escaped were 
forced to swim the river, first throwing away their 
arms. Some were drowned and some were shot in the 
water. The Sixth New York lost quite heavily, among 
the killed being Charles Free and Levi Pearl of 
Troop I. Sergeant John Muldoon of Company I was 
badly wounded in the thigh, but brought two prisoners 
and a flag from the field. Colonel Devin was wounded 
in the foot, but remained on the field during the 
engagement. Captain Heermance and Lieutenant 
Weston of the Sixth were wounded, and Captain 
Mann of the Fourth killed, and Captain Snyder 
wounded. After the fighting was over, the Ninth New 
York was left to hold the line, while the brigade fell 
back to Cedarville, where the paymaster, having wit- 
nessed a good exhibition of cavalry fighting, com- 
pleted his work of paying off the regiment. The 
horses remained saddled, and the men in line all 
night. 

Aug. 17th. — Fell back from Cedarville at 5 a.m. and 
marched to near Berrjr^riHe, where the brigade went 
on picket. Orders were received from General Grant 
to drive off all horses and cattle, and to burn all hay 
and grain, to make the valley as untenable as possible 
for the enemy. Every hay and cornstack, and every 
barn containing hay or grain, was consigned to the 
flames, thus dealing fire and sword on every hand. It 
was not very pleasing to the citizens, nor yet to the 
majority of the troops, but was a necessary and mili- 
tary move. As far as the eye could reach, from moun- 
tain to mountain, throughout the valley, burning 
barns and stacks of hay and grain marked too well the 
entire extent. Mosby and his guerrillas followed us 
closely all day, picking up those of our men who 



216 History of the [1864 

■straggled from the main column. The army was fall- 
ing back to Harper's Ferry. 

Aug. 18th. — Reghxient remained saddled in support 
of the picket-line, while Mosby's men were causing 
much annoyance. 

Aug. 19th. — Regiment still on picket in sight of the 
rebels. Colonel Devin left camp on twenty days' 
leave, wounded. 

Aug. 20th. — Regiment was relieved from picket. 
Moved camp nearer Berr}^dlle. As several of Cus- 
ter's men had been, killed by guerrillas, General Mer- 
ritt ordered the arrest of all male citizens between six- 
teen and forty-five years of age. 

Aug. 21st. — Heavy firing was heard on the right. 
The enemy had attacked Lowell's brigade, which held 
that line. At 2.30 p.m. the Second Brigade was 
ordered to the support of Lowell, who was holding in 
check the rebel infantry. Passed through Berryville 
and a half mile beyond and formed in line of battle 
west of the town. Lowell's brigade was then ordered 
to retire and Devin 's to take up his line and then 
retire, which we did in good order, under a heavy fire 
of musketry and artillery. The enemy advanced his 
artillery, opening upon us rapidly with shot and shell, 
his cavalry and infantry advancing in double lines of 
battle. The bullets came nearer and closer still, and 
rapidly increased in numbers, till nothing but a con- 
tinued buzzing and whirring of the rebel missiles 
could be heard. The connnand fell back in good 
order, in three columns, one on each side of the pike. 
At dusk passed through Charlestown and encamped 
midway between it and Harper's Ferry. 

Aug. 22d. — The infantry withdrew during the night 
toward Harper's Ferry. The division marched on the 



1864] Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 217 

road to Shepherdstown, the rear guard skirmishing 
with the enemy's advance. Halted near Shepherdstown 
and established a picket-line connecting with Wilson 
on the left. 

Aug. 23d. — On picket. No enemy in sight, but plenty 
of milk ; twenty-five cents a canteen. 

Aug. 24th.— Went on picket toward Charlestown, 
relieving the Fourth New York. Heard of Devin's 
appointment as Brevet Brigadier. 

Aug. 25th.— The pickets were drawn in at daylight, 
and at seven o'clock the First and Third Divisions 
moved toward Martinsburg via Shepherdstown, and at 
Kearneysville, on the B. & 0. E. E., came up with the 
advance of Breckinridge's corps of infantry, whicli 
was driven by Custer's brigade. Then moved toward 
Leestown, where we met the enemy in large force. 
Devin's brigade advanced on the enemy's left, who 
was being warmly engaged by Wilson and Custer. 
The Fourth and Ninth New York, and Seventeenth 
Pennsylvania, supported by the Sixth New York, were 
ordered to charge a line of infantry in an open field. 
On went the three regiments, over fences and stone 
walls, with the Sixth close in support, driving them 
back and capturing a number of the Fifty-first Vir- 
ginia, when, suddenly, from our right, came a heavy 
volley of musketry from a belt of woods, and 
simultaneously some shrieking shells and ricochet- 
ting solid shot from a battery in our front, 
warning us of a heavy support to the enemy's advance 
line. The enemy now advancing in greatly superior 
numbers, we received orders to withdraw the com- 
mand, which was done in good order. We retired via 
Shepardstown, the enemy following closely, and at 
dark reached our infantry near Bolivar Heights, and 



218 History of the [1864 

halted, expecting to bivouac for the night. But the 
enemy had thrown a column across country, obliging 
Custer to fall back and cross the river, and attacking 
us at the same time. Major Durland, with the Seven- 
teenth Pennsylvania, charged them gallantly, losing 
one officer (Lieutenant Potter) and about twenty-five 
men, the Major having his horse shot and being him- 
self grazed on the head by a bullet. This charge 
checked the enemy until we got the brigade into posi- 
tion, when we held them until relieved by the reserve 
brigade. The Federal cavalry engaged the same 
number of Confederate cavalry and three corps of 
infantry. Sergt. A. J. Sutton, Company H; Charles 
Thompson, Company E ; W. H. Corthell, Compan}^ I ; 
M. Snyder, Company M, and Edward Hall, Company 
L, were wounded. 

Aug. 26th. — Moved to near the Potomac, went into 
camp and unsaddled. 

Aug. 27th. — In camp getting the horses shod. Made 
a reconnoissance to Shepherdstown, where we found a 
small force of rebel cavalry and chased them out of 
town. 

Aug. 28th. — Left camp at sunrise. Sixth New York 
in advance, and moving up the valley, on the Winches- 
ter pike, met the enemy's cavalry near Leetown, and 
drove it before us through Smithfield. We charged 
into town and drove them to the opposite side. Pour 
or five houses were destroyed by fire, ignited by the 
rebel guns. This town was sometimes called Midway, 
it being a centre to the four towns, Harper's Ferry, 
Martinsburg, Winchester and Front Eoyal, and had 
about 500 inhabitants. Bivouacked just outside of town. 

Aug. 29th. — Moved out a short distance and formed 
line of battle. At ten o'clock Custer's brigade, on 



1864] Sixtli New York Cavalrij. '219 

our right, was attacked by a lieavy force of the enemy, 
who came on in double fury, apparently determined to 
rout us from our position. The fighting continued to 
rage until about 3 p.m., when, the enemy bringing up 
infantry reinforcements, our forces left their position 
and retired beyond the town. At this moment 
Devin's brigade was suddenly attacked by the rebel 
infantry and cavalry, and being on the left was cut off 
from the town, and was compelled to circuit through 
the fields, over rail and stone fences, the enemy pour- 
ing volley after volley into our ranks, killing and 
womiding many men and horses, and being at one 
time surrounded on three sides. Eeaching a hill a 
mile and a half northeast of the town, the brigade 
made another stand in a corn-field, holding the enemy 
in check while our artillery and ambulances were 
moved to the rear. Being mounted, and an easy mark, 
the regiment suffered severely in both men and horses. 
Received orders to fall back, giving place to a division 
of the Sixth Corps, before whom the "Johnnies" 
retired as fast as they had followed us up. Retired to 
Smithfield and went into camp on the farm of Colonel 
Samuel Washington, eldest brother of the General. 
The house contained many relics, among them a man- 
telpiece given to the General by Lafayette. Among 
the casualties of the day were Doctor Rulison, Ninth 
New York (Division Surgeon), killed, and Captain 
Hanly, Ninth New York, wounded. When the Sixth 
New York was cut off from the town. Sergeant 
Charles W. Francis, Company I, was wounded, and 
died November 9th, 1864, at Baltimore, Md. (As the 
r-ecords in my possession fail to give a detailed list of 
the casualties in each battle or engagement, I can men- 
tion but a few, taken from my personal recollection.) 



220 History of the [1864 

Aug. 30th. — In camp between Smithfield and 
Cliarlestown. The Sixth New York was formed into 
two squadrons; Company I had but six privates for 
duty. Marched in afternoon toward Berryville, halt- 
ing and going into camp near there, without opposi- 
tion, at sundown. Colonel de Cesnola, Fourth New 
York (commanding the brigade during the absence of 
General Devin), left for Harper's Ferry, to be mus- 
tered out of service, his term of service having expired 
on the 10th instant. 

Aug. 31st. — In camp near Berryville. All quiet, 
except for picket-firing. 

Sept. 1st. — The regiment went on a reconnoisance to 
about three miles beyond White Post, met the enemy, 
drove in his pickets, captured several and returned to 
camp. 

Sept. 2d. — Saddled ui3 at 2.30 a.m. and at daybreak 
marched toward Charlestown, going into camp four 
miles south of the town, the Sixth New York picketing 
at Eipley. At dark advanced to near Berryville and 
halted at 1 a.m. (3d) and lay to horse all night. 

Sept. 3d. — Marched at 6 a.m. by Berryville to White 
Post. The Fourth and Ninth New York reconnoitred 
toward Winchester, coming up with the rebel pickets 
at Opequon Creek. 

Sept. 4th. — General Sheridan had directed Torbert 
to be in Berryville by daylight of the 4th, but the 
order did not reach him until after daylight, and 
toward noon Wilson's and Merritt's divisions moved 
back to find Berryville occupied by a large force of the 
enemy. The Sixth New York had been sent to Berry- 
ville to open communication with the infantry; the 
enemy had drawn in their pickets, and the regiment 
advanced nearly to the town, and while passing 



1864] Sixth New I'ork Cavalry, 221 

tlirougli a gap in a fence from one field to another was 
suddenly attacked by Mosby with about 400 men, who 
killed, wounded and captured forty-two of the regi- 
ment. It was at one time almost surrounded, but with 
their revolvers they fought their way out, but with a 
heavy loss — it had reported but about 100 men for 
duty. It then fell back, as the Seventh Michigan Cav- 
alry flankers came up and took up a line on the left of 
the infantry, near and east of the town, and remained 
in position till dark. Isaac Collier of Company M 
was outside of the lines for some hours, and in passing 
a barn heard some one calling, "For heaven's sake, 
Ike, don't leave me here." It proved to be Tom Kier- 
nau, who had been wounded. Collier got him on his 
horse and brought him safely in our lines, but more 
dead than alive, and got him in an ambulance. At 
night the regiment was detailed to take the ambulance 
corps to Harper's Ferry, and when returning to the 
front (near Charlestown) was again attacked by 
Mosby. Collier's horse was killed, his own foot was 
broken, and he was sent back to Harper's Ferry and 
from there to Chestnut Hill Hospital, Philadelphia, 
where he found fourteen more of Company M. Cap- 
tain Goler and Lieutenant Bell were captured, while 
Corporal Edward F. Pratt, Company I, was killed, 
and Sidney P. Hopson and Samuel P. Jenison, both of 
same company, were captured. 

Sept. 5th.— Regiment sent to Bolivar Heights as 
guard to ambulance train. 

Sept. 6th.— Eeturned toward Berrwille, guarding 
the train. 

Sept. 7th.— Near Berryville; saddled up and 
remained in line. Lieutenant-colonel George S. 
Nichols, Ninth New York, temporarily in command of 



222 History of the [1864 

brigade. One sergeant, one corporal and five privates 
in Company I, 

Sept. 8tli. — First New York Dragoons assigned to 
the Second Brigade, and Colonel Alfred Gibbs 
assnmed command. Brigade was relieved by General 
Crook, and moved to Smithfield, arriving about dark, 
and relieved the Twenty-fifth New York Cavalry of 
Colonel Lowell's command. Regiment went on picket, 
but the ranks were so depleted the orderly and com- 
missary sergeants had to go on duty, 

Sept. 9th. — Regiment was relieved from picket by 
the Seventeenth Pennsylvania. The brigade was sent 
out on the Opequon Creek, below the Winchester Rail- 
road, to burn four flour mills that had been pressed 
into the rebel service, and which were strongly 
guarded. The mills were destroyed and an officer and 
eight men of McCausland's command were brought 
back, without the loss of a man or horse. 

Sept. lOtli. — In the morning firing was heard on 
Averill's front. The brigade saddled up, and the 
Ninth New York was sent to feel the enemy on the 
Bunker Hill road, and learned that it was Lomax with 
three brigades fighting Averill's First Brigade. 

Sept. 11th. — Was much annoyed by the rebel sharp- 
shooters along our picket-line. Colonel Gibbs sent to 
General Crook for some of his sharpshooters to drive 
them away, which they did in the late afternoon. 

Sept. 12th. — Regiment went on picket and advanced 
the lines. 

Sept. 13th. — All quiet along the line. 

Sept. l-ltli. — Regiment was relieved by the Seven- 
teenth Pennsj^lvania. The brigade was ordered to 
make a demonstration at nine o'clock; moved out to the 
Opequon and crossed a part of the brigade, sending 



186-4:] Sidh New York Cavalry. 



99 Q 



the Ninth New York to Bunker Hill, wliere it con- 
nected with Averill's forces. Returned to camp at 
dark, with the loss of one man of the Ninth New York. 

Sept. 15tli.^ — Part of regiment sent to escort train. 
General Devin arrived in camp in the forenoon, and 
was serenaded by the bands of the First New 
York Dragoons and Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cav- 
alry. 

Sept. 16th. — All quiet along the lines. 

Sept. 17th. — Regiment went on picket, relieving the 
Seventeenth Pennsylvania; found the rebel pickets, 
Seventeenth Virginia Cavalry, very friendly, riding to 
the middle of the stream, shaking hands, exchanging 
tobacco for coffee, etc. 

Sept. 18th. — Regiment was drawn in from picket 
and about noon marched with the brigade to near 
Summit Point. 

Sept. 19th.— Saddled up at 1.30 a.m., and at 2.30 
moved out of camp, Lowell's brigade in advance, the 
Sixth New York taking the advance of Devin 's bri- 
gade. Lowell's brigade crossed the Opequon at Ste- 
vens' Ford, capturing about forty prisoners. Custer 
crossed at Locke's Ford, with McGilvey's section 
(Second Brigade Battery) and had considerable fight- 
ing. About 2 p.m. Devin 's brigade was ordered 
across at Stevens' Ford to press the enemy, who had 
been started by Averill on the Martinsburg pike; the 
Seventeenth Pennsylvania had the advance and went 
in at a trot, the brigade following, soon coming up 
with the flying enemy, when Devin and Custer, follow- 
ing closel}", soon disposed of their cavalry, routing 
them completely; then turned its attention to the 
enemy's infantry, which was being engaged by a part 
of the Eighth Corps. A grand charge was made by 



224 History of the [1864 

the entire First Division, breaking the enemy's lines, 
when a general "gobbling" of prisoners ensued, 800 
prisoners, seven stands of colors, a gun and caisson, 
many small arms left on the field, besides a large num- 
ber of killed and wounded. Five of the flags and 
about 400 of the prisoners were taken by Devin's bri- 
gade, three of the flags, over a hundred of the prison- 
ers, and the gun and cannon being taken by the Sixth 
New York, which numbered about seventy-five men on 
the fighting line. The casualties in the brigade were 
heavy. Captain Eaymond L. A¥right, Sixth New 
York, brigadier inspector general, and Major C. W. 
Ayers, Ninth New York, were killed, both of whom 
were sadly missed and were a great loss to the brigade. 
Captain Wright's body was brought from the field 
and sent to his home in Troy, N. Y. (The writer 
brought it from the field after it had been placed in a 
carryall, impressed for the occasion.) Captain 
Thorp, First New York Dragoons, was killed ; Captain 
Titus and Lieutenant Pierce, Sixth New York, were 
wounded, and Major Hauvand, Fourth New York, and 
Adjutant Clarke, Seventeenth Pennsylvania, missing. 
After dark went into bivouac a mile above Winches- 
ter. One of the flags was captured by George E. 
Meach, Company I, Sixth New York. Lieutenant J. 
W. Blunt killed four rebels and took five prisoners and 
had his horse killed. 

Sept. 20tli. — Moved off at simrise, Devin's brigade 
in advance, toward Strasburg, coming up with the 
enemy's rear guard at Cedar Creek. The First New 
York Dragoons, leading, drove them through the town 
and found Early's army in position on the heights 
beyond the town. Halted and went into camp on the 
sight of the infantry, which came up in the afternoon. 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalry. 225 

The Sixth New York captured one wagon and several 
prisoners. 

Sept. 21st. — About sunrise the division moved to the 
rear across Cedar Creek; the First and Reserve Bri- 
gades were sent toward Front Royal with the Third 
Division. Devin's brigade encamped near the creek. 
The Sixth New York was detailed as escort at Sheri- 
dan's headquarters, and went with him out on the left 
of the line. 

Sept. 22d. — Devin's brigade was skirmishing the 
greater part of the day in front of Fisher's Hill, and 
late in the afternoon went into camp, but saddled up 
again immediately. Crook's corps had been kept 
concealed in the woods and by night marches, until it 
could be moved up on the side of the North Mountain, 
whence, on the afternoon ''it slid doivn" and struck 
the enemy's left flank, driving it back in great confu- 
sion, and being joined by the other troops in front the 
enemy was stampeded in a panic, leaving nearly all 
his guns and many prisoners. Devin's brigade was 
ordered up in pursuit and marched all night, with an 
occasional halt, following the fleeing enemy so closely 
they had to burn part of their train. The battery was 
brought into action once during the night. At day- 
break of the 23d the brigade had reached Woodstock, 
and without waiting for rest or breakfast moved on by 
Edinburg, picking up a number of stragglers and find- 
ing several burning wagons and one piece of artillery 
on the road. Continued the pursuit until arriving at 
the creek, about two miles north of Mount Jackson, 
where we found the bridge burning, and a small force 
of the enemy to dispute over crossing. The Ninth 
New York, in a spirited dash, soon "ousted" them 
and we went on to within half a mile of Mount Jack- 

15 



226 History of the [1864 

son, where we found them inclined to make a stand. 
Tlie Ninth and Sixth New York and First New York 
Dragoons continued skirmishing until 2 p.m., when 
Averill came up with his division. After skirmishing 
for about two hours General Averill ordered the line 
to withdraw, and the brigade went into camp near the 
creek. Wilson's division and the First and Third 
Brigades of Merritt's had been sent up the Luray Val- 
ley for the purpose of striking the enemy's rear at 
Newmarket. Averill's slowness in moving up, and 
his failure to press the enemy as ordered, resulted in 
his being relieved and his cavalry placed in command 
of Colonel Powell. 

Sept. 2-tth. — Early in the morning the brigade 
moved forward, and the infantry coming up the enemy 
was driven rapidly back through Mount Jackson and 
on toward Harrisonburg. The brigade then forded 
the river and, advancing on the left of the pike, drove 
the rebel cavalry before it and off into the mountains. 
Came up with the enemy's infantry at Newmarket. 
The First New York Dragoons in advance drove them 
l)ack and charged the town, finding a strong line out- 
side the town; the Dragoons dismounted and again 
•drove them; and so it continued, a running fight, for 
four miles, when the enemy made a determined stand. 
Devin's brigade had been imshing them so closely and 
rapidly all day that they were forced to halt every 
now and then and give us battle to keep us off their 
wagon train. We picked up many stragglers. Our 
infantry coming up relieved us, but it being nearly 
dark they only held our line and went into camp. 
McGilvey's battery (Devin's brigade) was at one 
time some distance in advance of our line. Torbert, 
who had been sent with Wilson's division and two 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalnj. 227 

brigades of Merritt's up the Liiray Valle}^ to strike 
the enemy's rear at Newmarket, had failed to carry 
out his instructions. He met AVickham's cavalry at 
Milford, and instead of driving them and striking 
Early's rear, he fell back to Front Royal and rejoined 
the army by the valley pike. 

Sept. 25th.— Moved out about 7 a.m. on the Harri- 
sonburg pike, and arrived in the town about noon; 
found a rebel general hospital in the town, with about 
a thousand sick and wounded. (We had passed a 
number of hospitals, and they were all full.) Made a 
halt of about two hours and then marched by Keezle- 
town, taking a few^ prisoners by the way, and halted at 
Peale's Crossroads and bivouacked, the infantry hav- 
ing halted at Harrisonburg to wait for supplies. The 
enemy was moving toward Port Republic. 

Sept. 26th.— Moved on to Port Republic, meeting 
McCausland's cavalry three miles from town, and 
drove them back without halting the column, our 
rifled section (Guyler's) making some excellent shots 
on their retreating cavalry ; arrived at the town just as 
the last of their wagon train was going out; made a 
big etf ort to capture it, but not having any infantry 
support found the enemy's force too great. Found 
the rebel army posted in and around Brown's G-ap. 
The Sixth New York on the skirmish line advanced 
about two miles beyond the river, when the enemy 
made a flank movement and charged the lead horses, 
driving them back across the river, forcing the regi- 
ment to "double-quick" two miles through the woods 
to get back to the lines. 

Two of Mosby 's men were hanged near Front Royal, 
by order, in retaliation for Lieutenant McMaster of 
the reserve brigade, who was shot by some of them 



228 Eistonj of the [186i 

after surrendering. Captain Aitken of the Sixth, 
Captain Bailey of the Ninth, and Major Scott of the 
Dragoons were mounted. 

Sept. 27th. — Devin's and Custer's brigades crossed 
the river again to Port Eepublic. Averill's old com- 
mand on our right was attacked in force on the flank, 
and forced to move back. General Custer arrived on 
the field soon after the attack commenced and took 
command, but finding the enemy was moving up a 
heavy column of infantry was forced to retire, when 
the whole division moved back about five miles and 
went into bivouac at Peale's Crossroads. The Sixth 
New York went on picket. While Merritt's division 
was holding the enemy's attention at Port Eepublic, 
General Torbert, with Wilson's division, and Lowell's 
brigade went on to Staunton and Waynesboro, blew 
up the bridge at the latter place, destroyed the grist- 
mills and all grain and forage, and drove away the 
cattle, being attacked at Waynesboro by Wickham's 
cavalry and Pegram's brigade of infantry. This 
move alarmed Early and he drew in all his forces to 
Kockfish Gap, east of Waynesboro. 

Sept. 28th. — The Sixth New York was on picket. 
At 3 a.m. the reserve saddled up and remained in read- 
iness all day. A scouting party from the brigade 
went toward Port Republic in the forenoon and found 
a small force of the enemy. Custer advanced in the 
afternoon and occupied our old position. Lieutenant 
Cating, Sixth New York (of the brigade staff) was 
wounded and taken prisoner while trying to commu- 
nicate with Colonel Gibbs at Magangheyville. 

Sept. 29th. — In compliance with an order from Gen- 
eral Grant, which said: "If the war is to last another 
year, I want the valley a barren waste," Merritt's 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalry. 229 

division advanced again to Port Republic in the morn- 
ing, and crossing the river strnck the pike about eight 
miles above Harrisonburg; some of the cavalry went 
to Staunton and commenced the work of destruction, 
burning all barns, hay, grain and forage of all kinds, 
and driving off all live stock. Unable to get the full 
record of the destruction, I can give but the partial 
one at hand. The Ninth New York and Fifth Michi- 
gan Cavalry, under a staff officer, traveled about 
thirty miles, from Brown's Gap to Piedmont, and 
destroyed ninety-three barns, eleven mills, one tan- 
nery, seventy-two stacks of hay and grain, one fur- 
nace, one foundry and one distillery, and drove off 
three hundred and fifty-one cattle and sixty-five sheep, 
and reached camp at Mount Crawford at 9 p.m. 

Sept. 30th. — Moved camp a mile east of town. A 
detail of thirty men of Sixth New York, under Lieut. 
J. W. Blunt, went on scout to Cross Keys and Port 
Republic. 

Oct. 1st. — In camp. No sign of the enemy. Rained 
all day. 

Oct. 2d. — The regiment was on picket and a part of 
it was sent on a scout and had gone but a short dis- 
tance beyond the river at Mount Crawford when it 
met the rebel advance, and fell back across the river, 
the enemy following. Captured three men, who 
reported two divisions of infantry coming up. Mer- 
ritt came up with the division, and the skirmishing 
continued until after dark, when we retired to about a 
mile from Mount Crawford. Lieutenant Frank T. 
Saunders was mortally wounded. A bit of hard luck 
occurred during the day. J. N. Crawford of Company 
C went out foraging and got some flour, butter and 
hay. When he came in sight of camp and saw the 



230 Eistorij of the [1864 

regiment had moved, he threw away the hay and dis- 
covered he had lost the flour ; went back to look for it, 
and lost the butter ; then started for the regiment with- 
out either. Many of the families in the valley were 
going north, being carried back by the empty supply 
trains. The devastation of all supplies and farm 
stock by the army had left them nothing to subsist on. 

Oct. 3d. — More rain. The regiment on picket 
between Mount Crawford and Harrisonburg. The 
enemy was not disposed to be troublesome. The 
reserve brigade made a reconnoissance and drove 
them across the bridge, taking a few prisoners. A 
great many refugees were constantly coming in. 
Lieutenant John R. Meigs of General Sheridan's staff, 
and a son of Quartermaster-general Meigs, was killed 
within the Union lines between Dayton and Harrison- 
burg by disguised Confederates. By General Sheri- 
dan's order the houses near the scene of the murder 
were burned. 

Oct. 4th. — The Ninth New York was sent out and 
found the enemy in force south of Middle River. The 
Sixth New York was relieved from picket and 
employed its time burning everything but houses. 

Oct. 5tli. — The whole division moved camp about 
9 a.m. to the vicinity of Cross Keys. 

Oct. 6th. — Marched by Harrisonburg and Middle 
road to Timberville and encamped at night. General 
Grant's order was rigidly enforced, all mills, forage 
and supplies being burned, and cattle and sheep 
driven off. 

Oct. 7tli. — Marched by Forestville and struck the 
pike between Mount Jackson and Edinburg; a small 
detachment of the enemy's cavalry followed us to 
Edinburg, where we established our picket-line at 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalry. 231 

Stony Creek after a slight skirmish, and then went 
into camp near Woodstock. 

Oct. 8th. — Marched at 7 a.m. by Woodstock and 
halted near Fisher's Hill and Eoundtop. The army 
was moving back down the valley, continuing its work 
of destruction. The rebels becoming bold in our rear, 
General Sheridan directed that they be "felt off." 
One brigade, with a squadron of the Sixth New York, 
under Captain Farmer, on the left, was sent to do the 
work, and drove them to Woodstock. Returning, the 
enemy followed sharper than ever. In their eager- 
ness a lieutenant-colonel and one man ran into a squad 
of Farmer's party and were gobbled. General Eos- 
ser, who had joined Early with an additional brigade 
from Richmond, and was in command of the Confed- 
erate cavalry, had been annoying us as we moved 
back. In the afternoon our division had a heavy skir- 
mish near Tom's Brook. Custer was on another road 
some miles to the northwest near Tumbling Run. Cus- 
ter was ordered to retrace his steps before daylight 
next morning and attack the enemy near Tom's Brook, 
while Merritt attacked on the pike. While estab- 
lishing the picket-line at night. Captain White (Sixth 
New York) of the brigade staff ran into a squad of 
the Fourteenth Virginia (rebels) and, telling them it 
was not the regiment he was looking for, he quietly 
worked his way back into our lines. 

Oct. 9th. — Ordered out at daj^light to find the enemy 
and develop him. Custer encountered Rosser with 
three brigades. Merritt extended his line to connect 
with Custer and found the two brigades of Lomax and 
Johnson in his front. Continued skirmishing, grad- 
ually advancing our line, the enemy making a stub- 
born resistance at first until about 9 a.m., when Ros- 



232 History of the [1864 

ser's lines were broken up and commenced one of the 
greatest "skedaddles" on record. Devin's brigade 
pursued them to Mount Jackson, over twenty miles 
from the starting-point. About dark returned to 
"Woodstock. Results of the day's operations were six 
guns, thirty wagons, and many prisoners captured by 
Custer's; five guns, fifteen wagons and forges, two 
stands of colors and many prisoners captured by Mer- 
ritt's division, and the rebel cavalry sadly demoral- 
ized. The only casualty in Devin's brigade was one 
man, Eichard, Company L, Sixth New York, mortally 
wounded and left at Mr. Chaney's, about two and one- 
half miles from Woodstock, on the pike. Custer cap- 
tured all of Rosser's wagons, squaring accounts for 
Trevilians Station. 

Eosser had been called the "New Savior of the Val- 
ley," and his command as "The Laurel Brigade," 
His defeat and complete rout gave rise to many amus- 
ing fireside stories in the camps of Sheridan's cav- 
alry, one being that Early told Rosser that as laurel 
didn't run, he had better change the name to grape- 
vine. Sheridan, in his dispatch, said his "cavalry had 
met the 'New Savior of the Valley,' chased him twenty- 
six miles, and captured all his guns and wagons." 

Oct. 10th. — Marched to Roundtop at 6 a.m. and 
went into camp at Fisher's Hill, without having seen 
anything of our rebellious friends. 

Oct. 11th. — About noon the division marched by 
Strasburg, crossed Cedar Creek, and went into camp 
on the north fork, near Buck Ford, Devin's brigade 
picketing the ford. 

Oct. 12th. — Moved in the afternoon to the left of the 
army, toward Front Royal, and camped on the river 
near the mountains. 



[1864 Sixth New York CavaJry. 233 

Oct. 13th. — Picket-firing commenced at about 3 a.m. 
Early had advanced through Strasburg and attacked 
Crook's corps at Hupp's Hill, and Custer's cavalry 
to the right on the back road. Cannonading and 
skirmishing kept up through the afternoon, when 
Merritt's division was sent to Custer's sup- 
port. 

Oct. 14th. — Devin's brigade was ordered to make a 
reconnoissance to Strasburg. Saddled up at 2 a.m. and 
moved out at daylight, the Sixth New York in advance. 
The enemy had fallen back in the night to Fisher's 
Hill. Found a brigade of the Eighth Army Corps on 
the pike near Strasburg. Our advance met the rebel 
pickets on the heights near Strasburg, charged and 
took the heights and drove the enemy through and be- 
yond the town, when they advanced with two heavy 
lines of infantry. After skirmishing a while, we fell 
back to draw them on to our infantry. As soon as they 
saw our infantry skirmish line they came to a halt. 
The brigade remained in line, mounted all day, ex- 
changing shots with them, withdrawing after dark to 
camp. 

Oct 15th. — The Cavalry Corps drew a large supply 
of ammunition, rations and feed, and at 6 p.m., accom- 
panied by Sheridan, moved by Middletown and Cedar- 
ville, crossing Crooked Eun, the North Fork and the 
Shenandoah, and went into camp near Front Royal at 
11 p.m. Sheridan receiving word from General AYright 
that Early was being reinforced by Longs treet, ordered 
Torbert back to Cedar Creek with all the cavalry, ex- 
cept the regiment, which escorted Sheridan to Rector- 
town, from which place he took the cars to Washing- 
ton. The Secretary of War had invited the General 
there for consultation. 



234 History of the [1864 

Oct. 16tli.^ — At daylight moved out of Front Royal 
and marclied to our old position at Cedar Creek. 

Oct. ITtli. — A little before daylight the enemy's cav- 
alry made a dash on the First Connecticut Cavalry 
pickets and captured a major and twenty-five men. 
Merritt's division saddled up and remained in readi- 
ness until 8 o'clock. 

Oct. ISth— All quiet. 

Oct. 19th. — The infantry pickets on the extreme left 
in front of Crook's corps were attacked at 3 a.m. 
Three divisions of the enemy's infantry under Gordon, 
and one brigade of cavalry, had crossed the Shenan- 
doah east of Fisher's Hill, moved around the north 
base of the Massanutten Mountains, again crossed the 
Shenandoah at Bowman's and Mclnturf 's fords, and 
moved around to the left of Crook's camp. About day- 
light, and in a very heavy fog, Gordon charged Crook's 
position and drove him out of his camps toward the 
Valley pike. Early at the same time advanced through 
Strasburg with Wharton's and Kershaw's divisions, 
the latter crossing Cedar Creek at Robert's Ford, near 
the Shenandoah, attacking Thoburn's division of 
Crook's corps in front and connecting with Gordon, 
while Wharton crossed Cedar Creek on the Valley 
pike as soon as the ford was left open. After driving 
back Crook's men, Gordon continued to advance across 
the pike, turning the position of the Nineteenth Corps, 
and compelling General Wright (who was temporarily 
in command of the Army of the Shenandoah) to with- 
draw his whole army to a line north of Middletown 
between 7 and 8 a.m., Merritt's cavalry division and 
the Sixth Corps being used to check the enemy during 
this movement. The enemy now had possession not 
only of Wright's camps, but had captured twenty-four 



1864J Sixth New York Cavalry. 235 

of his cannons and about twelve hundred men, while 
his wagons and ambulances and many of his men were 
moving back in great disorder toward Winchester. 
The Federal cavalry was encamped in the rear of the 
Sixth Corps, but saddled up and mounted quickly, 
and moving out was ordered to the performance 
of the most difficult and most distasteful duty 
it had ever been called upon to perform, and 
one almost impossible to accomplish, that of check- 
ing our retreating infantry and forcing them 
back in line, in many instances officers and men 
darting under our horses' bodies and dashing on, in 
their panic, toward Winchester, the enemy pressing us 
heavily and raking us unmercifully. It looked like a 
bad defeat after so many brilliant victories, but we 
held on tenaciously, falling back gradually about three 
or four miles. About 9 a.m. the infantry made a stand 
and formed line on the west side of the pike near Mid- 
dletown, the cavalry occupying the left of the line east 
of the pike. Merritt's division was stretched in front 
of Middletowu, while Custer was sent to the right and 
held the enemy with this thin line until Sheridan or- 
dered the advance. When Sheridan came from Win- 
chester, with horse foaming and frothing and speed 
unchecked, he dashed along the line, amid a rain of 
shot and shell, encouraging the men and giving his 
orders as he went. At 4 o'clock our line advanced, 
going forward in splendid order, both sides fighting 
stubbornly for half an hour, when the enemy wavered 
and began to retire in disorder. The cavalry, Devin's 
brigade leading, then charged and drove them to Fish- 
er's Hill, the brigade capturing 22 cannon, 8 caissons, 
39 wagons, 30 ambulances, 130 mules, 300 horses, 2 
stands of colors, 1 guidon and 360 prisoners, the guns 



236 HistoTTj of the [1864 

including two 20-pounder Parrotts. The last gun that 
could be moved was brought in at 10 p.m. One of the 
flags was captured by Thomas M. Wells, chief bugler. 
A division of infantry was sent forward, when the cav- 
alry withdrew and went into camp on the left. Sergt. 
Christopher Fisken, Company L, Sixth New York, 
was mortally wounded. Adjt. John G. Main, 
Sixth New York, was killed, his adversary being shot 
down by Sergt. Morgan D. Lewis, Company E, A 
large number of horses were killed and wounded. I 
omitted to say that the captures made by the enemy in 
the early forenoon were retaken in the advance in the 
late afternoon. In the cavalry charge Colonel Lowell 
was mortally wounded. The Confederate General, 
Eamseur, was also mortally wounded, and died on the 
20th. General Grant ordered a hundred guns fired into 
the enemy's lines in front of Petersburg in honor of 
the victory. The following letter was received from 
President Lincoln: 

Executive MxVNSion, 
Washington, Oct. 22d, 1864. 
Major-general Sheridan : 

With great pleasure I tender to you and your brave army 
the thanks of the nation, and my own personal admiration 
and gratitude for the month's operations in the Shenandoah 
Valley ; and especially for the splendid work of October 19th, 
1864. 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed) Abraham Lincoln. 

Oct. 20th. — Merritt's division moved out to Fisher's 
Hill, and after a short halt marched by Woodstock to 
Edinburg, the reserve brigade having the advance. 
Finding nothing but a small party of cavalry, the com- 
mand returned at 4 p.m. and went into camp on its old 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalry. 237 

ground near Koundtop. The Ninth New York returned 
via the mountain, picking up about twenty stragglers, 
who reported the mountains full of Early's men. 

Oct. 21st.— Marched about 1 p.m. by Fisher's Hill 
and Strasburg and went into camp on the left of the 
army, near Bowman's Ford. Captain AVhite, Sixth 
New York (of brigade staff), ordered to take the flags 
captured by Merritt's division, one by Sixth New York, 
one by Ninth New York, and one by Sixth Michigan 
Cavalry, to Washington. He started out with G^eneral 
Custer; Colonel Love, One Hundred Sixteenth New 
York; Captain Moore of Sheridan's staff; Major 
Krom, Fifth New York Cavalry, and the three men 
who had captured the flags. Although it rained hard 
when they reached Winchester, they |)ushed on all 
night, arriving at Martinsburg at daylight, where they 
took a special train and arrived in Washington at 4 
p.m. They spread the flags from a street car on the 
avenue to the Metropolitan, when they ascertained it 
was too late in the day to present them. Sixth New 
York went on picket. 

Oct. 22d.— Eelieved from picket by First New York 
Dragoons. 

Oct. 23d. — In camp. All quiet. 

Oct. 24th. — In camp. All quiet. 

Oct. 25th. — In camp. All quiet. 

Oct. 26th.^ — In camp. All quiet. 

Oct. 27th. — In camp. All quiet. 

Oct. 28th. — Paymaster in camp. Part of regiment 
on picket at Buck's Ford. 

Oct. 29th. — In camp. General Devin in command of 
division. 

Oct. 30th. — In camp. Eelieved from picket. 

Oct. 31st. — Paymaster left camp. 



238 Histonj of the [1864 

Nov. 1st. — All quiet, except for the bushwhackers 
along the picket line. 

Nov. 2d. — Regiment went on picket at Buck's Ford. 

Nov. 3d. — Very cold ; high wind and heavy rain. 

Nov. 4th. — Relieved from picket by First New York 
Dragoons. G-eneral Custer's congratulatory order to 
his division claimed forty-five pieces of artillery cap- 
tured on 19th of October. Twenty-two of those were 
captured by Devin's brigade, for which it held the 
receipts. 

Nov. 5th. — Greeted by quite a fall of snow. 



HEADQUARTEflS SECOND BRIGADE, FiRST CaVALRY DIVISION, 

Middle Military Division. 

November 6th, 1864. 
Soldiers : 

The Brevet Brigadier-general commanding feels that he 
should not allow the present opportunity to pass without 
referring to and recalling the operations of his brigade dur- 
ing the late engagements. 

Rapidly transferred from the Army of the Potomac to the 
Shenandoah Valley, you, on the second day's march, 
engaged a brigade of mounted infantry, and in one hour 
drove them from two strong positions in utter rout. 

Again at Front Royal, Smithfield, Keai-neysville and 
Shepherdstown, your sturdy arms and keen sabres, on each 
occasion, hurled back the serried masses of the foe. At the 
Battle of the Opecpion, after charging and routing a superior 
force of the enemy's cavalry in your front, you whirled like 
a thunderbolt on the left of his infantry lines and rode 
them down in the face of a withering fire in two successive 
charges, capturing over 500 prisoners and five battle-flags. 

When detached from the division, and in advance, during 
the long pursuit of Early's army from Fisher's Hill to Port 



1804] Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 239 

Republic, yonr gallantry and daring while pressing tlie 
enemy called forth the highest praise. In the action of the 
9th of October, taking the advance near Edinburg, yon 
drove Lomax's division "whirling" through ]\Iount Jackson 
and across the Shenandoah, capturing his last gun and his 
train. 

On the memorable 19th of October, the crowning glory 
was reserved for you of pursuing the enemy and reaping 
the fruits of that brilliant victory. After sturdily fighting 
from early morn with the gallant old division to which you 
are attached, in its successful efforts to check, and finally 
drive, the enemy's right, you dashed across the bridge over 
Cedar Creek, under a heavy fire, charging and completely 
smashing the enemy's rear guard. Darkness did not relax 
your efforts, but on you pushed, capturing guns, trains and 
prisoners until at near midnight you had reached Fisher's 
Hill, eight miles from the battle-field. 

At early dawn you charged and drove the enemy's cav- 
alry from the hill, and pushed on to Woodstock after the 
fast-flying foe, who could not again be overtaken. Twenty- 
two of the forty-three guns captured by the cavalry, fifty- 
nine wagons and ambulances, over four hundred prisoners 
(including a number of officers), and tAvo battle flags, were 
the trophies of your success. 

You have captured, during this short campaign, twenty- 
four guns, nine liattle-flags in action, and over one thousand 
prisoners. 

This brilliant success has not been effected without severe 
loss. One-third of your number, including forty officers, 
have been killed or wounded. They have fallen nobly at 
their post of duty. 

Praise from me is superfluous. The record of your deeds 
is sufficient. You have done your duty, and the brigade 
has maintained its old reputation. 

(Signed) Thomas C. Devin, 

Brevet Brigadier-general. 



240 History of the [1864 

Nov. 7tli. — Received orders to march at daybreak 
and take up Powell's line. Moved out at 3 a.m. and 
went to Cedarville near Front Royal on picket. 

Nov. 8tli. — About noon received orders from Gene- 
ral Torbert to move to Middletown. Drew in the pick- 
ets and arrived in our old camp about 9 p.m. Sent 
pickets back to Cedarville. 

Nov. 9th. — The infantry moved back to the Opequon 
Creek, a small force of the enemy's cavalry coming 
down to see what was going on. Charles W. Francis, 
Company I, died from wounds received August 29th. 

Nov. 10th. — Marched at 7 a.m., following the infan- 
try by the pike and went into camp, on their left, at 
Newtown, a short distance south of Winchester. Part 
of Sixth New York on picket on Opequon Creek. 

Nov. 11th. — Brigade was inspected by Major Otis, 
special Cavalry Inspector, and received a high mark 
for its condition. The Ninth New York went on a 
reconnoissance to Middletown and met a brigade (or 
more) of rebel cavalry, losing about a dozen men. The 
rest of Devin's brigade went to the support of the 
Ninth, when the enemy was checked and driven back. 

Nov. 12th. — The division received orders to be ready 
to move "light" at daybreak; remained saddled all 
day, and went out about dark and attacked the enemy 
beyond Newtown by moonlight, and after an hour or 
more of sharp skirmishing, the Sixth New York made 
a ''midnight charge," losing a number of horses killed. 
Drove the enemy back some distance. Were ordered 
to withdraw, and returned to camp. Lieut. Randall 
Grant, Company A, and John McCluer, Company I, 
wounded, the latter dying during the night. After los- 
ing guns, caissons, train and many prisoners, the 
enemy fell back. 





Ad.i. F. a. Easton. 
President Veteran Association. 




Ma.t. Hillman a. Hall. 

Chairman Committee on 

Regimental History. 





Adj. Easton in 1862. 




Reu. Qr. M. W. B. Besley. 

Treasurer Committee on 

Regimental History. 



SliT. CilJ.llEUT Li. WuuD. 

Historian. 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalry. 241 

Nov. 13tli.— Marched at 9 a.m. to Cedar Creek and 
learned that Early, with his army, had fallen back dur- 
ing the night; captured a few infantry stragglers and 
returned to camp at dark. Very cold, with snow. 

Nov. 14th.— During the absence of General Merritt 
on leave, General Devin was in command of the divi- 
sion and Colonel Gibbs of the Second Brigade. Moved 
camp to the plank road to Winchester and commenced 
building winter quarters. 

Nov. 15th.— Quiet in camp. Cold and windy. Sutler 
came up with supplies. One hundred men of Sixth 
New York went to Cedarville to recover the body of 
Captain Mann of Fourth New York, and took it to 
Winchester. 

Nov. 17th. — Part of brigade went to Cedar Creek on 
reconnoissance, but could find nothing of the enemy. 
Rain. Sixth New York on picket. 

Nov. 18th. — Eain. Two companies of the Sixth New 
York went on picket. The regiment made scout to 
Cedar Creek, finding no enemy. 

Nov. 19th.— Relieved from picket. Regiment in- 
spected. 

Nov. 20th. — More rain. Quiet in camp. Received 
orders to be in readiness to move in morning at 7 
o'clock. 

Nov. 21st. — The division marched at 8 a.m. in a 
drenching rain, via Cedarville to Front Royal, when it 
went into bivouac, the First New York Dragoons hold- 
ing the picket-line. Flag of truce came in from the 
enemy. General Devin gave them twenty minutes in 
which to get away. 

Nov. 22d. — Very cold. Mountains were covered with 
snow. The brigade went to Milford in the Luray Val- 
ley and had a skirmish with Cosby 's and Imboden's 

16 



242 History of the [1864 

brigades. John Conlin, Company L, Sixth New York, 
wounded by guerrillas while carrying dispatch. Re- 
turned about 11 p.m. to camp near Front Royal. 

Nov. 23d. — Returned in afternoon to the old camp 
near Winchester, and found that Mosby had paid a 
visit to it during our absence. In the march, the regi- 
ment forded the river at two points, the water being 
very high and swift, the men as well as the horses get- 
ting very wet and almost freezing. 

Nov. 24th. — Mosby made a call in the afternoon by 
dashing on a foraging party near the lines, but al- 
though he received a very warm welcome, decided not 
to extend his visit. 

Nov. 25tli. — The regiment was ordered to Winches- 
ter to relieve the Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 

Nov. 26th. — In bivouac, waiting for the Seventeenth 
to move out of the camp. 

Nov. 27th. — The regiment moved into the camp occu- 
pied by the Seventeenth and found that the winter huts 
had been destroyed. 

Nov. 28th. — Merritt was ordered to move with his 
■division to Loudoun County to operate against the 
guerrillas, who had for months been annoying the army 
by their sudden attacks on small parties and on the 
wagon trains, and to destroy all forage and drive off 
all cattle, sheep, hogs, etc. Marched at 7 a.m. via AVhite 
Post, Berry's Ford, Ashby's Gap and Paris, and went 
into bivouac at Upperville. Commenced the work of 
destruction at 3 p.m. The guerrillas hung about the 
camp during the night. 

Nov. 29th. — Moved out at smirise, marching by 
Union and Philomont to Snickersville and bivouacked. 
The Fourth New York Cavalry and First New York 
Dragoons encountered a considerable nmnber of Mos- 



1864] Sixth Neiu York Cavalry. 243 

by's men. Lieutenant Blunt captured one with a fast 
horse. The reserve brigade joined us at this point, 
coming via Snicker's Gap. 

Nov. 30th.— Started out to clean out the county, 
marching by Waterford to Lovettsville and encamped. 
The first brigade had moved on our right, and the 
reserve brigade on the left, covering the whole of Lou- 
doun Valley. There were many Union people in that 
section, and they came out in large numbers with the 
Stars and Stripes, and cheered the men as they 
marched through Waterford, but the work of destruc- 
tion went on. 

Dec. 1st. — Left Lovettsville at smirise with an im- 
mense drove of cattle, sheep, etc. — about 3000 sheep, 
3000 cattle, 500 horses and 600 hogs, having covered 
the country for about thirty miles and nearly fifteen 
wide. Marched by Purcellville, arriving at Snickers- 
ville at dark, where the division encamped. 

Dec. 2d. — Started the cattle off at daybreak via 
Snicker's Gap. Lost a large number of the hogs by 
drowning. Moved by Berryville to Millwood and Win- 
chester pike and encamped. 

Dec. 3d. — Marched to camp and took up our old 
quarters, having had delightful weather during the six 
days' excursion. 

Dec. 4th. — All quiet in camp. 

Dec. otli. — Regiment went on picket on the Berry- 
ville pike. 

Dec. 9th. — Very cold, with heavy snowfall, continu- 
ing all night. Colonel Devin apointed Brigadier-gen- 
eral. Grand jollification and serenade by the band of 
the First New York Dragoons. 

Dec. lOtli. — Snow about ten inches deep. During 
December the infantry, with the exception of two divi- 



244 History of the [1864 

sions, was sent to rejoin the Army of the Potomac in 
front of Petersburg. Of the two divisions, one was 
sent to West Virginia to guard the B. & 0. E. E., while 
the other remained with Sheridan and the cavalry in 
the valley. Early was at Staunton with the greater 
part of his army, a portion of it being stationed at 
Three Top Mountain and at Newmarket. Owing to the 
extreme cold and frequent severe storms, both rain 
and snow, the cavalry remained in camp for a number 
of days, the several regiments of each brigade taking 
their turn, in short reliefs, on the usual picket duty. 

Dec. 19th. — The Cavalry Corps moved out of camp 
and started on a raid to Gordonsville. Torbert, with 
Merritt's and Powell's divisions, marched through 
Front Royal and encamped in Chester Gap. 

Dec. 20th.— Marched through Flint Hill, Little 
Washington and Sperryville. 

Dec. 21st. — Moved through Criglersville to near 
Madison C. H., Sixth New York going on picket. 

Dec. 22d. — Moved on to the Eapidan, a portion of 
the command engaging the enemy and capturing sev- 
eral pieces of artillery. 

Dec. 23d. — Marched to near Gordonsville, skirmish- 
ing with the enemy, who was found strongly in- 
trenched. Marched back to Eobertson Eiver and biv- 
ouacked. The weather was very cold, accompanied 
by rain and sleet, almost continuously. 

Dec. 24th. — Moved across the Sperryville pike to 
Hazel Run. 

Dec. 25tli.^ — Christmas Day. Crossed Hazel Run 
and went into bivouac near Warrenton. The Third 
Division returned to camp, many of the men with 
frozen feet. 



1864] Sixth New York Cavalry. 245 

Dec. 26tli.— Milder, but cloudy. Marched to War- 
reuton and White Plains, and bivouacked near Middle- 
burg. 

Dec. 27th.— Marched through Middleburg, Upper- 
ville, Ashby's Gap and across the river and biv- 
ouacked near Millwood. The mud was in abundance. 
The Second Division arrived back in camp. 

Dec. 28th.— First Division marched to camp about 
noon, bringing with it two ])ieces of Lomax's artillery 
captured by the First New York Dragoons. 

Dec. 29th. — The weather was freezing cold, with a 
mixture of rain and snow, causing much suffering 
among the almost perished men and horses. Received 
orders to move into winter quarters near Lovettsville. 

Dec. 30th. — Reveille sounded at 5 a.m., and called 
the men from their downy couches and sweet slumbers 
to find an exceptionally pleasant morning. The bri- 
gade moved out of camp at 8 a.m. and marched 
through Winchester and Bunker Hill and encamped 
near the Opequon. 

Dec. 31st. — Marched at daybreak in a heavy snow 
storm, passing through Smithfield and Charlestown, 
and bivouacked at noon near Halltown, the weather 
and storm being too severe for further marching. 



1865 

Jan. 1st.— Started about daylight, and passing 
through Halltown and Harper's Ferry crossed the 
Shenandoah Eiver on a pontoon bridge, then down the 
right bank of the Potomac, around the toe of the 
mountain, to Lovettsville and encamped near the town. 
The day was intensely cold, with a biting wind ; the 
progress of the column very slow, while a number of 
the men were slightly hurt by the falling of their 
smooth-shod horses on the icy roads. 

Jan. 2d. — The regiment pitched its tents in the 
woods near Lovettsville. Here the regiment made 
itself as comfortable as possible, and passed the two 
winter months of January and February in the ordi- 
nary camp and picket duties, and in observing the 
country between the Potomac River and the Blue 
Eidge. General Devin left camp on fifteen days' 
leave. Lieutenant-colonel Geo. S. Nichols, Ninth New 
York, assuming command of the brigade. 

Jan. 3d.— Part of the command employed erecting 
winter huts. 

Jan. 4th.— The Sixth New York moved camp about 
three miles and put up winter (piarters. More snow. 

Jan. 5th. — Warmer, with melting snow and thawing 
ground, making the traveling very disagreeable. 
Regiment went on scout and captured three chickens. 

Jan. 6th.— Rain. All quiet in camp and on the lines. 

Jan. 7th.— Heavy snow and high wind in morning, 
with clear and very cold weather in the afternoon. 
The regiment went on picket. 



2'48 History of the [1865 

Jan. 8th. — Divine service by the chaplain in the 
schoolhonse near camp. 

Jan. 9th. — Eain. A force of rebels was reported 
near Upperville. 

Jan. 10th. — More rain. The Seventeenth Pennsyl- 
vania sent on a reconnoissance, bnt found no signs of 
the enemy. Part of Sixth New York went on scout. 

Jan. 11th. — Clear and cold. 

Jan. 12th.— A visit from General Sheridan was 
expected in camp. He came as far as Berlin, but was 
unable to cross the river on account of the high water 
and ice. 

Many leaves and furloughs were granted to the 
officers and men during the month. 

Jan. 13th. — All quiet in camp. Weather very cold 
and blustery. 

Jan. 14tli.— Wind blew a gale. The river was still 
very difficult to cross. General Sheridan visited the 
camps in the afternoon. 

Jan. 15th. — The regiment went on picket duty; 199 
men joined the regiment from remount camp. Gen- 
eral Sheridan left camp at 8 a.m. for Cumberland, Md. 

Jan. 16th. — All quiet in camp. 

Jan. 17th and 18th. — All quiet during the day. At 
midnight a party of guerrillas, numbering about 100, 
attacked and drove in the pickets, and with a dash 
charged in the camp of the Sixth New York, firing in 
the tents and among the horses, and cutting the horses 
loose. The regiment turned out, in undress uniform 
and barefooted, and charged the enemy, driving them 
from the camp and for a distance of about one and a 
half miles, but being dismounted could not overtake 
them, but killed one officer and wounded a number of 
the men. The regiment lost two men killed, nine 



18G5] Sixth Neiu YorJ^ Cavalrij. 249 

wounded and five missing, and lost twenty-five horses. 
The men of the Sixth New York now surviving will, no 
doubt, remember that night, for it was very cold, and 
the bare feet and scant clothing made it a cliilly expe- 
rience, 

Jan. 19th.— Cold and cloudy. A scouting party was 
sent to search for the midnight marauders, but, beyond 
killing one, was unsuccessful. 

Jan. 20th.— General Devin returned from leave. In 
anticipation of another attack, the regiment built a 
barricade around the camp and strengthened the 
picket-line. The weather continued bitter cold. 

Jan. 21st.^ — Stormy. 

Jan. 22d. — Regiment formed line to meet a threat- 
ened attack. Eain was falling hard, and freezing as it 
fell. 

Jan. 23d. — The storm continued. An attack was 
made on the picket-line. The regiment saddled up 
and remained in line for several hours, and then 
' ' turned in, ' ' but left the horses saddled all night. 

Jan. 24th.— Major Harrison White was relieved 
from duty at brigade headquarters, and, as senior 
officer, took command of the regiment. The remain- 
ing days of January and early part of February were 
passed in the usual camp duties: police, guard and 
picket duty, drill and dress parade, with an occasional 
small scout in the surrounding country to keep the 
limbs of the men and horses in condition for the cam- 
paign that was rapidly approaching. It was while in 
this camp that our worthy comrade, Regimental Quar- 
termaster Sergeant W. B. Besley, returning to the 
days of his infancy, so to speak, indulged in a good 
and well-developed case of the mumps. There were 
many snowstorms during the winter, some of which 



250 History of the [1865 

were quite deep, varying from six to twelve inches, but 
which soon disappeared under the rays of the sun, the 
combination of sun, snow and earth making that which 
all soldiers will well remember. 

Jan. 28th. — Eegiment went on scout to Waterford. 

Jan. 29th. — One hundred and two recruits joined 
the regiment from dismounted camp. Senator Foote 
of the Confederate Congress from Eichmond came in 
our lines and remained at night at brigade headquar- 
ters, and then passed on his way to Fortress Monroe 
to attend a peace conference (so called). 

Feb. 3d. — One squadron of the Sixth New York, 
under Captain Bell, went on a scout to Hillsboro and 
brought back the notorious guerrilla, Payne, and three 
others. 

Feb. -Ith to 14th. — In addition to the variations of 
camp and picket duty, and rain, hail and snow, there 
were several days, at intervals, when the sleighing was 
fine, and which a few who were fortunate enough to 
find the runners enjoyed, as only men so long denied 
can enjoy. 

Feb. 15tli. — Two squadrons (150 men) Sixth New 
York, under Captain Bell, were sent on a scout toward 
Snickersville. 

Marched via Lovettsville, Wheatland and Purcell- 
ville to within two miles of Snickersville, returning 
through Woodgrove, Hillsboro and Morristown, 
arriving in camp about -4 p.m. Encountered a small 
force of the enemy, captured four men of the Seventh 
Virginia Cavalry, and six horses, but were unable to 
overtake the others. The weather was anything but 
agreeable, being one continuous storm of rain, snow 
and hail. 

Feb. 16th.— Thawing. 



1865] Sixth New York Cavalry. 251 

Feb. ITtli. — More snow. 

Feb. 18th. — Kegiment went on picket. 

Feb. 20th.— The guerrillas in considerable force 
were in front of the picket-line in the morning. The 
picket reserve of the regiment remained saddled all 
night. 

Feb. 21st.— All quiet. 

Feb. 22d.— Washington's Birthday, in celebration 
of which a national salute was fired at noon at Har- 
per's Ferry. 

Feb. 23d.— Orders were received to break camp and 
be ready to move at 6 a.m. the 24th. 

Feb. 24th. — Marched about 10 a.m., going via Lov- 
ettsville, Wheatland and Hillsboro, and bivouacked at 
night on the snow-drifts two miles south of Harper's 
Ferry, having covered about twenty-five miles. 

Feb. 25th.— Started at daylight and, crossing the 
Shenandoah River at Harper's Ferry, moved up the 
valley, passing through Halltown, Charlestown, Rip- 
pon and Berryville, crossed the Opequon, and biv- 
ouacked near Winchester, having marched about 
thirty miles through rain and mud. Colonel Charles 
L. Fitzhugh reported to the regiment and assumed 
command. 

Feb. 26th. — Marched through and about two miles 
beyond Winchester and went into bivouac. Received 
orders to be in readiness to move out at 6 a.m. the fol- 
lowing day. In the absence of General Torbert Gene- 
ral Merritt was appointed Chief of Cavalry, General 
Devin to the command of the First Division, and Col- 
onel Fitzhugh to that of the Second Brigade. Early, 
with Wharton's two brigades of infantry, was at 
Staunton. Lomax's cavalry was at Millboro, near 
and west of Staunton. The rest of his infantry and 



252 History of the [1865 

part of his cavalry had been sent to Petersburg, while 
the remainder of his cavalry was scattered in the sur- 
rounding country. General Grant having directed 
Sheridan to destroy the James Eiver Canal and the 
Virginia Central Railroad, and, if possible, capture 
Lynchburg, it was the General's plan, by rapid 
marches, to approach Staunton before Early could 
draw in his scattered army. 

Feb. 27th. — Left camp at 8 a.m. and, moving up the 
valley, passed through Newtown, Middletown, Stras- 
burg and Mooretown, and camped at dark near Wood- 
stock, having marched over thirty miles. General 
Sheridan with the First Division, which had the 
advance. The command was moving with few wagons, 
the ambulances, ammunition and pontoon wagons 
composing the greater part of the train. The men 
carried five days' rations and forage, and depended, 
for further subsistence, on the country beyond the 
devastated section, 

Feb. 28th. — Moved out about 8 a.m., the Second Bri- 
gade as rear guard, and, passing through Edinburg, 
Mount Jackson and Newmarket, went into bivouac 
after midnight a few miles from Harrisonburg, hav- 
ing marched and skirmished over thirty miles. The 
enemy attempted to burn the bridge across the Shen- 
andoah, but a small force of the brigade went up the 
river, swam their horses across, and came down in 
rear of the rebels at the same time a charge in front 
drove them away, leaving a number of prisoners in 
our hands. 

March 1st. — Marched at nine o'clock via Harrison- 
burg, Mount Crawford and Sidney, and to within 
about six miles of Staunton, a distance of twenty-five 
miles, the First Division in the advance. At Mount 



1S(J5] Sixth New York Cavalry. 253 

Crawford the advance had quite a skirmish with the 
enemy's cavalry, capturing quite a number of Ros- 
ser's men and about twenty wagons. The regiment 
went on ])icket for the night. 

March 2d. — Started in the morning in a heavy rain- 
storm, the Third Division in advance, and marched 
through Staunton and on toward Fishersville. The 
First Division moved through Staunton about noon, 
destroying all stages and wagons in town, and fol- 
lowed the Third Division on toward Waynesboro, and 
destroyed all supplies at Swoope's Dej^ot. Custer 
encountered Early in a line of breastworks near 
Waynesboro, and sending a dismounted brigade 
around the left flank of the enemy, he, with the remain- 
der of his division, attacked the enemy's works in 
front. The flank movement throwing the enemy in 
disorder, the assaulting line quickly carried the front, 
pressed through Waynesboro and on across South 
Eiver, where it captured about 1500 men, 11 pieces 
of artillery, 17 battle-flags, all of Early's staff, 
and 140 wagons and ambulances. A large train of 
cars loaded with supplies for the Confederates was 
overtaken and destroyed south of Waynesboro. In 
fact, nearly all of Early's forces, stores and wagons 
fell into our hands, the artillery and prisoners being- 
sent back, under guard, to Winchester. From here 
were sent back, with the prisoners, all our sick and 
used-up horses, under the command of Lieutenant- 
colonel George S. Nichols, Ninth New York Cavalry. 
The First Division, except as a support to the Third, 
took but little part in the fight, being employed in 
detached skirmishes, and in destroying property, and 
bivouacked for the night at Waynesboro, while Custer 
pushed on through Rockfish Gap and encamped at 



254 History of the [1865 

Brookfield. While Eosser made his way back to the 
valley, Early and two or three of his generals, with 
twenty-five or thirty men, escaped over the mountains. 
The rain having been almost continuous for several 
days, the roads had become almost impassable, in 
many places the stirrups and horses' bodies dragging 
in the mud. Frequently a horse was abandoned 
through inability to extricate him. As Colonel White 
put it in his diary, ' ' there was much rain, mud and 
glory. ' ' 

March 3d. — The division marched through AVaynes- 
boro, Eockfish Gap and G-reenwood, and encamped at 
Shiloh Church, Gibbs' brigade of Devin's division 
having remained at Waynesboro to destroy the rail- 
road bridge across South Eiver, and to guard the 
wagon train. 

March 4th. — Marched to Charlottesville and 
encamped. Owing to the necessarily slow movement 
of the wagon train and its total inability to keep up 
with the column, for the mud was from eighteen inches 
to two feet deep, Sheridan decided to halt for a day or 
two, and while awaiting its arrival and resting the 
jaded cavalry and artillery horses, turned his atten- 
tion to the destruction of the railroad toward Lynch- 
burg. 

March 5th.— The Sixth and Ninth New York and 
Seventeenth Pennsylvania were "employed on the rail- 
road" until four o'clock, destroying about ten miles 
of it. Forage and rations having become exhausted, 
the country was scoured by organized parties, who 
brought in more than the troops could carry. A great 
quantity was turned over to a large body of colored 
people who were following the column, much to their 



255 



18G5] Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 

surprise and gratification, many of whom declared 
they hadn't had such a feast in "yeahs." 

March 6th.— The Sixth New York left camp in early 
morning and marched to Scottsville on the James 
Eiver, about twenty-eight miles, destroying the canal 
and all canal property along the route. Then biv- 
ouacked, and at an early hour of the 7th pushed on to 
Howardsville (twenty-five miles), destroying the 
canal, as well as many buildings filled with rebel 
stores. Joined the brigade at Howardsville and 
marched on to Newmarket, continuing the destruction 
of the canal. It had been Sheridan's intention to cross 
the James Eiver, march on to Appomattox C. H., 
and destroy the Southside Railroad, Imt owing to the 
unfordable river, the insufficient pontoons and the 
destruction of the two bridges at Duguidsville and 
Hardwicksville, he decided to further destroy the 
James Eiver Canal and the Virginia Central Eailroad, 
and move on and join the Army of the Potomac in 
front of Petersburg. 

Marcli 8th. — Marched at noon via Howardsville and 
Scottsville, arriving at dark, the Sixth New York in 
the advance, capturing several men and horses ; thence 
on the Eichmond turnpike to Columbia, twenty-two 
miles south of Scottsville, arriving at Columbia about 
daybreak of the 9th, having marched about fifty miles 
in a heavy rain. Major Farmer and two squadrons 
of the Sixth New York were left to hold the bridge 
over Hardware Eiver, between Scottsville and Colum- 
bia, until the arrival of the Third Division. A forag- 
ing party captured three wagons loaded with supplies, 
part of which was taken and the rest destroyed. 
Found a large quantity of goods — grain in sacks, 
molasses in barrels, rich clothing in trunks, and all 



256 Histonj of the [1865 

kinds of bedding piled up and covered with brush- 
wood. Took the grain, but left the other things. The 
Third Division having arrived at the bridge, the two 
squadrons moved on to rejoin the regiment, and 
marching all night crossed a branch of the James 
Eiver at daylight of the 9th and bivouacked on the 
north side. 

March 9th. — The brigade remained in camp at 
Columbia, waiting for the rest of the cavalry. 

March 10th. — The two squadrons of the Sixth New 
York rejoined the regiment at Columbia about 3 a.m. 
A number of the enemy were watching our movements 
from the opposite side of the James Eiver, but a party 
of the Seventeenth Pennsylvania crossed over in boats 
and drove them away. Foraging parties were sent 
out and returned laden with supplies. One squadron 
of Sixth New York was sent on a scout to Palmyra, 
fifteen miles distant. The rest of the cavalry came up 
in the afternoon. 

March 11th. — Fitzhugh's brigade went on a raid to 
Goochland C. H., capturing a few rebels, the Sixth 
New York returning on the tow-path, destroying the 
canal, locks, boats, mills, warehouses, etc., and arrived 
at Columbia after midnight, having traveled about 
fifty miles. Columbia was a small town at the junc- 
tion of the James and Rivanna Rivers. The command 
remained in camp waiting for the wagons to come up, 
the frightful condition of the roads making it almost 
impossible for the jaded teams to pull them along, in 
which they were frequently aided by the hundreds of 
colored men who were following the column, who, 
seizing the wheels, would soon "yank" them out of 
the mire, and the train would again move on until it 
came to another "sticky" halt. Men and horses. 



1865] Sixth New York Cavalry. 257 

teamsters and mules, wagons and negroes, were lite- 
rally plastered from one end to the other, but the men 
were happy and good natnred, laughing and singing 
and joking, for the enemy was in the last ditch, the 
war was nearing its end, and home, sweet home, was 
almost in sight. 

March 12th. — The division moved out of camp at 
7 a.m. and marched north toward Louisa C. H., and 
crossing the South Anna River went into bivouac 
about 10 p.m. at Cuckoosville, having made about 
twenty miles. 

March 13th. — Marched early toward Hanover 
C. H., reaching the Virginia Central Railroad at 
Tollersville, and destroyed it and the depots as far as 
Fredericks Hall, covering a distance of twenty miles. 
Brush heaps were made, the ties laid on them, across 
which the rails were placed. The heat so twisted and 
bent the rails that they were unserviceable for further 
use. 

March 11th. — Fitzhugh's brigade moved to Beaver- 
dam Station and encamped at 6 p.m. Part of the 
command continued the work of destroying the Cen- 
tral Railroad, while the Sixth New York went on picket 
duty. General Sheridan, learning that Longstreet, 
Pickett and Fitzhugh Lee were making a concerted 
movement to head him otf, and believing that White 
House was the key to the situation, ordered Cus- 
ter's division, via Ground Squirrel Bridge, to Ashland 
to join Merritt, who had moved via Hanover Junction. 
The enemy, being misled by this movement, marched 
to Ashland. Leaving one brigade to hold the line, 
Sheridan directed the two divisions to countermarch 
and move northward to Mount Carmel Church, where 
they crossed the North Anna River. Under cover of 

17 



258 History of the [1865 

the darkness, the brigade at Ashland moved back and 
rejoined its division at Mount Carniel about midnight 
of the 15th. 

March 15th. — Moved out early and marched to Tay- 
lorsville and South Anna and returned to Chesterfield 
Station. Had a little skirmishing, during which the 
command captured three pieces of artillery and sev- 
eral flags, 

March 16tli. — Marched on the White House road to 
Mangohick Church, the Sixth New York camping at 
division headquarters. According to Colonel White, 
''a party of gueriillas and Company L, Sixth New 
York, had a quarrel." 

]\Iarch 17th. — Marched by Aylett's and camped 
near King William C. H. 

March 18th. — Moved via Lanesville to Indiantown 
on the bank of the Pamunky River and bivouacked 
opposite White House. 

March 19th. — At 8 a.m. crossed the river on the old 
railroad bridge and went into camp at White House 
Landing, on the widespread plantation bordering 
upon the south bank of the river, and once the lovely 
home of the Confederate leader, Robert E. Lee. Thus 
terminated an almost continuous march of twenty- 
four days since leaving Lovettsville, or twenty-one 
days from Winchester, during which the constant 
storms had thoroughly saturated the clothing and 
])hinkets, while the water-soaked boots were frozen 
stiff during the cold hours of the nights, leaving many 
a trooper, in consequence, with feet that have, no 
doubt, given much pain and annoyance in the years 
that have followed. The unfordable rivers, the almost 
impassable roads, the needs of foraging for subsist- 
ence, lack of knowledge of the roads and lanes in a 



1865] Sixth Netv York Cavalry. 259 

part of the country through which we had never 
marched before, confronted by an enemy in front, and 
annoyed by bands of guerrillas on the flanks, all of 
whom were familiar with the roads and lanes and 
l)aths, were a few of the problems that had to be 
solved quickly as the column moved forward. But the 
leader was a man of "many resources," and his fol- 
lowers were veterans who never doubted his wisdom 
nor failed him in the execution of orders, and pushing 
steadily forward, and brushing aside all obstacles, 
they not only annihilated the Confederate army, but 
effectually destroyed his means of transportation by 
both railroad and canal, and thus ended one of the 
greatest raids in the history of wars. Not contented 
with those brilliant achievements, they still pressed 
on, and swerving to the flank at Petersburg they pur- 
sued the enemy to the last ditch at Appomattox, and 
were in the front line of battle in the closing chapter 
of the Rebellion, 

March 20th. — In camp at White House, resting, and 
bathing in the waters of the James River, endeavoring 
to get separated from the accumulated and encrusted 
dirt of the three weeks' march and exposure. Again 
enjoying the good old "hardtack," having become 
tired of "home-made bread." 

March 22d. — The Sixth New York went on picket at 
Tunstall's Station, about three miles from White 
House. No mail had reached the command in over 
three weeks. 

March 23d. — Major Sawyer arrived in camp and 
commenced paying the brigade. The Sixth New York 
relieved from picket at 11 a.m. and returned to camp 
at noon. 



1260 Histonj of the [1865 

March 24tli. — Regiment was paid off. Mail arrived. 
Oh, joy ! 

March 25th. — Marched at 9 a.m. via Charles City 
C. H. to near Harrison's Landing, on the James 
River, and encamped. 

March 26th. — Moved by Malvern Hill and crossed 
the James River on pontoons at Deep Bottom, and 
marched toward Bermuda Hundred and the Appomat- 
tox and. encamped at Hancock Station. 

March 27th. — Marched by the rear of the Army of 
the James, crossed the Appomattox and moved b}^ the 
rear of the Ninth Corps and encamped near their left. 
The enemy's batteries tried to shell the column as it 
moved under their guns, but failed to reach it. 

March 28tli. — In camp in front of Petersburg, draw- 
ing supplies. 

March 29th. — The Cavalry Corps, separated from 
the infantry, left camp at an early hour, about seven 
o'clock, and marched all day toward the left of our 
army, moving by circuitous routes, through vast 
tracts of woodland, swamps, and roads of mire, first 
going south to Reams ' Station, then west toward Din- 
widdle, bivouacking near the Court-house, about 
twenty miles from Petersburg. Deviu's and Crook's 
divisions were put in position to guard the five roads 
leading from that point. Custer's division, with the 
wagon train, had bivouacked in the mud, several miles 
in the rear, at Rowanty Creek. The holding of these 
roads, particularly the one leading to Five Forks, was 
of vast importance to the movement contemplated, 
and Sheridan at once x)roceeded to hold it. The infan- 
try line extended about fifteen miles, from the Boyd- 
ton road (the left), held by Warren, to the Appomat- 
tox (the right), held by Parke. General Lee had dis- 



ISGo] Sixth New York Cavalry. 261 

covered tlie movement to the left, and met it by 
extending his line on the White Oak road, as well as 
drawing in his cavalry under W. H. F. and Fitzhugh 
Lee, and Rosser, to guard the roads at Five Forks, the 
crossing of five roads. The greater part of the coun- 
try was wooded, with here and there a field or a swamp 
or marsh. 

March 30th. — It commenced raining early in the 
morning and continued to rain hard all day. Devin's 
division, supported by Davies' brigade, moved out 
toward the White Oak road, Gibbs'. brigade being sent 
on a reconnoissance to Five Forks, and finding the 
rebel cavalry and Pickett's infantry (five brigades) in 
breastworks along the AVhite Oak road. In the after- 
noon Fitzhugh 's brigade, while moving toward the 
railroad, encountered some of Lee's cavalry and 
some infantry, and a brisk skirmish took place. The 
Sixth New York, acting in support, was mounted. At 
4.30, the enemy coming up in strong force, the line was 
forced back ; the regiment formed to meet the advance 
and checked it for a time, but volley after volley being 
l)oured into its ranks, was forced to retire to its former 
position. A number of men were wounded, among 
them Lieutenant Thomas M. Wells, a bullet passing 
through his leg below the knee, the wound being 
dressed by Doctor Curran, Surgeon Ninth New York 
(formerly Assistant-surgeon Sixth New York). At 
night the Sixth New. York went on picket. 

March 31st. — In the early forenoon Devin's divi- 
sion, supported by Davies' brigade of Crook's divi- 
sion, moved toward the Southside Eailroad, the objec- 
tive point being the crossroads. Owing to the condi- 
tion of the road and the stubbornness of the enemy's 
pickets, the division advanced slowly, but succeeded in 



1262 History of the [1865 

getting possession of the crossroads. Crook, with two 
brigades, had moved out at the same time, going west 
of Dinwiddie to cover Devin's left, where he met the 
enemy's infantry, under Pickett, and after a severe 
engagement was forced back, permitting Pickett to 
move in between Devin and Crook, separating the two 
divisions and controlling the road to Dinwiddie, com- 
pelling Devin and Davies to retire through the woods 
and fields to the Boydton road. When Davies ' brigade 
was attacked, the Second Brigade (Fitzhugh's) was 
ordered to its relief and, dismounting, relieved the 
men on the line, which extended over uneven ground 
and through the woods, when they were soon attacked 
on their left rear. Changing front, they quickly 
repulsed the attack, but received a volley from another 
force on the right of their first position. After 
repulsing this attack the line fell back, fighting as it 
retired, and discovered that the horses had been 
removed some miles to the rear on the Boydton road. 
Finally reaching the horses the brigade moved with 
the division to Dinwiddie. Gibbs' and Gregg's bri- 
gades attacked the rear and right of the enemy that 
had been following Fitzhugh and Davies, checking 
Pickett's advance, and compelling him to face about 
and meet the attack. General Sheridan, in the late 
afternoon, having decided to establish another line 
through more open country, about a mile north of Din- 
widdie, ordered up the artillery, and Custer, with 
two brigades, which had been toiling along with the 
wagon train, and joining the three divisions, formed a 
line across the Five Forks road, his left about half a 
mile northwest of Dinwiddie, and extending in a semi- 
circle through the open country in a northeasterly 
direction to near the Boydton road. Just before dark 



1865] Sixth New York Cavalry. 263 

tlie enemy made a sudden attack on the left, but 
received such a volley on their flank from another part 
of the line as to cause them to retire in haste. General 
Sheridan, accompanied by a number of officers and 
orderlies, rode along the line to encourage the men, 
and drew the enemy's fire. The artillery now opened 
their fire on the advancing enemy, and when the line 
had reached to easy range, the men in the barricades 
became active again, sending out such a storm of bul- 
lets that the (Confederates were quickly driven back to 
the woods, from which they did not emerge again that 
night. Sergeant Isaac A. Collier, Company i\I, was 
taken prisoner and sent to that famous resort in Rich- 
mond known to so many of the Union boys, but from 
which he was transferred a few days later to Annapo- 
lis, Md. 

April 1st. — Up at 2 a.m. and ready for the march. 
Pickett's advance toward Dinwiddle having separated 
him from Lee's army, it was Sheridan's intention to 
move promptly and capture his command before it 
could retreat to the fortified position at the Forks. 
To that end the Fifth Corps (General Warren) had 
been ordered to report to Sheridan at midnight of the 
31st, but did not break camp until about daylight of 
the 1st, and failed to reach Sheridan after Pickett had 
fallen back to Five Forks, hotly followed by the two 
cavalry divisions, Devin moving along the road from 
the southeast and Custer by the Scott road leading to 
the Forks, where he was driven behind the intreuch- 
ments. With W. H. F. Lee's cavalry on his right and 
Munford's on his left, and ten pieces of artillery dis- 
tributed along the line of breastworks, which extended 
for nearly two miles, with the Forks for a centre, he 
was confronted about two o'clock bv Merritt, with his 



264 History of the [1865 

two cavalry divisions, which had moved up to within 
short range of the intrenchments. About four o'clock 
two divisions of the Fifth Corps advanced against the 
enemy's left, while one (G-riffin's) worked around to 
his rear; Devin and Custer, with the two cavalry 
divisions, making a concerted assault on his front. As 
the Fifth Corps went over the left of the enemy's 
works Devin 's dismounted cavalry went with them, in 
the centre or front, and together rushed inside the 
intrenchments, capturing nearly six thousand prison- 
ers, six pieces of artillery and thirteen battle-flags. 

April 2d. — The cavalry advanced toward Ford's 
Station, on the Southside Railroad, meeting and 
engaging the enemy's cavalry, which, being soon 
driven back, the command gave its attention to tearing 
u!) and destroying the railroad. Then again moving- 
forward, Devin 's division in advance, the enemy's 
cavalry was again encountered and driven back toward 
Scott's Corners and on his infantry, the fighting con- 
tinuing until after dark, when the troops bivouacked 
on the field. 

April 3d. — After about forty winks of sleep, with 
one eye open and the other one not closed, the advance 
was continued, with Custer's Division in front and the 
Fifth Corps following closely in rear of Devin. The 
rebels had abandoned their strong position during the 
night, and Custer, pressing them closely, forced them 
to abandon much of their train, five pieces of artillery, 
many wagons and about 800 prisoners falling into our 
hands during the day. Bivouacked at night on the 
Amelia C. H. road. 

April 4th. — Marched toward the Court-house and 
came up with the enemy in fortified position at Fin- 
ney's Mills. Lee was reported to be at the Court- 



TiveToR-Ks 



\ 




^ 






(.Wff^ 



Map of Five Forks. 
By Gen. Crawford. 




Map of Five Fop.ks, April 1st, 3 p.:m. 
By Gen. Warren. 



1865] Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 265 

lionse, evidently with the intention of concentrating his 
forces at that point. The Fifth Corps had been 
ordered to move to Jetersville, Crook to strike the 
Danville Railroad between Jetersville and Burkeville, 
west of Amelia C. H., and Merritt to advance to the 
Court-house. Sheridan, with his escort of the First 
U. S. Cavalry, reached Jetersville ahead of the Fifth 
Corps, and deployed his small force of cavalry to hold 
the position until the infantry should arrive. A Con- 
federate courier was captured at this moment, and on 
his person being found a duplicate telegram from the 
Confederate commissary general, ordering 300,000 
rations to be sent quickly to Burkeville Junction, it 
confirmed the opinion that Lee was concentrating at 
Amelia Court-house. Merritt was now ordered to Je- 
tersville and, halting long enough to get supper, feed 
and groom the jaded horses, the division marched all 
night, and arriving at Jetersville about noon of the 
5th, massed on the left of the Fifth Corps, which was 
in position crossing the Danville Railroad. A small 
force of cavalry had been left to watch the enemy 
toward Amelia C. H. 

April 5th. — General Meade, with two corps (Second 
and Sixth) arrived at Jetersville about 3 p.m. A 
cavalry reconnoissance to Paine 's Crossroads, about 
six miles north of Jetersville, discovered the enemy's 
artillery and wagon trains were moving westward. It 
burned about 200 of the wagons and captured five 
pieces of artillery. This was ])roof that Lee was strik- 
ing for some point other than Amelia C. H. As 
soon as the Second Corps began to arrive, Sheridan 
wanted to advance, but Meade preferred to wait until 
his whole force was up. General Grant arrived at 
Jetersville about midnight. 



266 History of the [1865 

April 6tli. — Meade advanced toward Amelia C H. 
and found that Lee had been retreating all 
night. Sheridan, impatient with the dela}^, had started 
with the cavalry early in the morning on the road to 
Eice Station, with Crook in the advance and Devin 
closely following. The enemy's trains were soon over- 
taken, but the advance being unable to handle the 
strong guard, Sheridan, leaving one brigade of 
Devin's division with a battery to watch and engage 
the retreating enemy, pushed the rest of his cavalry 
across the country, parallel to the enemy's line of 
retreat. When near Sailor's Creek, Merritt and 
Crook made a strong attack, reached the Rice Station 
road, captured a large number of prisoners and nine 
pieces of artillery and destroyed several hundred 
wagons. A Confederate corps of infantry under 
Ewell was cut otf from joining Longstreet at 
Rice Station. Stagg's brigade (of Devin's divi- 
sion), which had been left back to watch the enemy on 
the Amelia C. H. road, had moved in between 
the head of Gordon's column and the rear of Ewell 's, 
compelling Grordon to abandon his march toward Rice 
Station and to take another road, pursued by the 
Second Corps. Ewell, thus completely cut off, 
had no alternative — he must either fight there 
or surrender. Choosing the former, the Battle 
of Sailor's Creek goes on record as a short 
but desperate struggle for supremacy, during which 
the Confederates fought heroically, but were out- 
matched by the determined Federals, who saw victory 
and home but a short distance ahead. The cavalry, in 
connection with the infantry, charged and captured 
Ewell, Custis, Lee and four other generals, over 9000 
prisoners, twelve pieces of artillery, and a large num- 



1865] Sixth New York Cavalry. 267 

ber of wagons, horses, mules, etc. Although darkness 
had come before the fighting was over, Devin's divi- 
sion pushed on for a mile or more, and bivouacked 
about midnight, remaining saddled and in readiness 
for action. 

April 7th. — Devin's division advanced early via 
Rice Station (finding several strong positions aban- 
doned) to Prince Edward C. H. It being very 
evident now that Lee was making for Lynchburg, 
Sheridan moved directly on Appomattox C. H., 
Devin's and Custer's divisions marching about six 
miles toward Prospect Station and bivouacking near 
Big Buffalo Run. 

April 8th. — At daybreak the division marched on the 
Lynchburg road to Prospect Station, and uniting with 
the other divisions moved toward Appomattox Sta- 
tion, about twelve miles distant. The telegram cap- 
tured at Jetersville on the -!:th had, by Sheridan's 
directions, been transmitted from a distant station to 
the supply departments, as directed. Learning that, 
in response to the telegram, several trains of supplies 
were at Appomattox Station, Sheridan, having noti- 
fied Crook of their existence, hurried forward with 
Merritt's command. The advance, under Custer, 
pushed rapidly ou to the station, two regiments going 
around beyond it and tearing up the track, while the 
rest took possession of the depot, meeting the almost 
savage advance guard of the enemy. Custer imme- 
diately made an attack and, after a desperate struggle, 
drove them back, capturing nearly 200 wagons, a hos- 
pital train, 35 pieces of artillery, and over 1000 prison- 
ers, including one general officer. Devin's division 
arriving in the late afternoon was sent in on the right, 
while two of Crook's brigades were held in reserve, 



268 History of the [1865 

the other one having been sent to the left. The enemy 
was then driven back toward the Court-house, several 
miles north of the station, and the cavalry went into 
bivouac about 1 a.m. of the 9th, the skirmishing con- 
tinuing throughout the night. The importance of the 
situation being so great, many staff officers were sent 
back to General Grant, urging that the infantry be 
hurried forward, for the feeling was general that the 
end was nearing. It was a sleepless night for every 
one, even the weary vidette being unable to close his 
eyes on the lonely post of vigil. General Ord, having 
been on the march all night, arrived soon after day- 
light, and, it being decided where his troops should be 
put in position, went back to urge on the men wearied 
from their all-night's march, while Sheridan rode for- 
ward to direct the movements of his cavalry near the 
Court-house. Lee's army was in a valley east and 
north of the Court-house, with his rear guard in line 
to oppose Meade's advance. At a council of the Con- 
federate generals, it having been planned that Gordon 
should break through the Federal cavalry lines at a 
very early hour on the morning of the 9tli, he 
advanced in force, with three lines, pushing back the 
light line of dismounted cavalry, which, however, 
resisted doggedly, giving the infantry time to form in 
the woods in its rear. The firing began on the left of 
the cavalry line, the skirmishing soon becoming hot 
and rapid along the whole line. When the infantry 
came up, the cavalry halted and with the infantry soon 
drove the enemy back in confusion to his position in 
the valley. 

About nine o'clock Devin's and Custer's divi- 
sions retired to their horses, mounted and moved 
off rapidly to the right and formed line ready to strike 



18(35] Sixth Neiv York Cavalrij. 269 

the enemy's left. The withdrawal of these two divi- 
sions encouraged the enemy to press Crook on the left, 
their line advancing steadily until they saw Ord's men 
moving out from the woods beyond, when they halted 
and began to retire, and when the infantry advanced 
over the ground just vacated by the two cavalry 
divisions, and together with the cavalry on the flanks 
pushed forward to an attack, he retired, in confusion, 
to a ridge in front of the Court-house. Merritt's cav- 
alry on the right, moving parallel with the enemy's 
line, drew a heavy fire from the Confederate guns, but 
still- pressed on, and reaching high ground near the 
Court-house, formed line for a charge down the slope 
to Lee's camps, now plainly in sight. But the charge 
was not made, as a staff officer came dashing up, shout- 
ing, ''Do not charge; the white flag is up; Lee has sur- 
rendered." It is supposed that the enemy, seeing the 
cavalry forming for a charge, and knowing that the 
day (and cause) was lost, sent the flag forward in 
haste to check the movement and avert further blood- 
shed. Several of the cavalry regiments were moving 
rapidly toward the rebel camps, as well as toward a 
tempting wagon train just beyond, when some of Sher- 
idan's officers, accompanied by two Confederate 
officers, with a white flag, galloped forward and noti- 
fied them that hostilities had been suspended. As 
General Sheridan was riding toward the Court-house 
to meet a group of Confederate officers, he and his 
escort were fired on and compelled to seek safety in a 
ravine. The rebel officers apologized for the violation 
of the flag. The firing ceased, the records varying as 
to the hour, some giving it at 9 a.m. and others 
between ten and twelve o'clock. My recollection is it 
was about ten o'clock — that all was quiet on some 



270 History of the [1865 

parts of the line; that great excitement prevailed on 
others ; that many groups of men were congratulating 
themselves and each other over the ending of the 
struggle; that the writer dismounted and "laid him- 
self down" at his horse's feet and went to sleep — 
good, sound, peaceful sleep — the first he had had, to 
speak of and enjoy, out of the saddle since the night of 
April 1st after passing through the breastworks at 
Five Forks, and slept on and did not awaken until the 
arrival of General Grant, who passed through the 
lines of Fitzhugh's brigade, a little while past the 
noon hour, and proceeded to the McLean house, where 
he met General Lee, and where the terms of surrender 
were drawn up and signed at about three o'clock p.m. 
April 9th, 1865, at Appomattox C. H. or Clover Hill. 
The cavalry then unsaddled its horses and bivouacked 
beside its brave adversary, the Confederate army. 

The terms of Lee's surrender were summed up in 
the following memorandum : 

Appomattox Court House, Va., 

April 9th, 1865. 
General : 

In accordance with the substance of my letter to you of 
the 8th instant, I propose to receive the surrender of the 
Army of Northern Virginia on the following terms, to wit: 
EoUs of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate ; one 
copy to be given to an officer to be designated by me, the 
other to be retained by such officer or officers as you may 
designate. The officers to give their individual paroles not 
to take up arms against the Government of the United States 
until properly exchanged; and each company or regimental 
commander sign a like parole for the men of their connuands. 
The arms, artillery and public property to be parked and 
stacked, and turned over to the officers appointed by me to 



1805] Sixth New York Cavalry. 271 

receive them. This will not eniljraee the side-arms of the 
officers, or their private horses or baggage. This done, 
each officer and man will be allowed to return to his home, 
not to be disturbed by United States authority as long as 
he obeys its paroles and the laws in force where he may reside. 
(Signed) U. S. Grant, 

Lieutenant-general. 
Gen. R. E. Lee. 

Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia. 

April 9th, 1865. 

General : 

I received your letter of this date, containing the terms 
of surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia as proposed 
by you. As they are substantially the same as those ex- 
pressed in your letter of the 8th instant, they are accepted. 
I will proceed to designate the proper officers to carry the 
stipulations into effect. 

(Signed) R. E. Lee, 

General. 
Lieutenant-general U. S. Grant. 

April lOtli. — MacKenzie's division of cavalry 
remained to assist in carrying ont the terms of the sur- 
render. The other divisions marched back to Pros- 
pect Station and went into camp near Farmville. 

April 11th.— Marched by Prince Edward C. H. 
and camped about six miles east of it. 

April 12tli. — Marched to Burkeville and bivouacked. 

April 13th. — ]\Iarched to Nottoway Station and 
encamped. 

April llth. — In camp. 

April 15tli. — In camp. The sacl news of the assassi- 
nation of President Lincoln, on the night of the lltli, 
reached camp, and was deeply felt, arousing the spirit 
of the men to boiling heat, causing them to chafe under 



272 Histonj of the [1865 

the restraint that kept them from rushing forth to 
seek vengeance. 

April 16th. — In camp at Nottoway. 

April 17th. — Marched by the railroad and camped 
near Ford's Station on the Southside Eailroad. 

April 18tli. — Marched to within two miles of Peters- 
burg and camped. 

April 19th. — In camp. 

April 20th. — Moved to a better camp nearer town. 

April 21st, 22d, 23d.— In camp, 

April 24th. — Moved out of camp in early morning 
and marched by Dinwiddle C. H. to Nottoway River, 
twenty-six miles. 

April 25tli.^ — Eesnmed the march on the Boydton 
plank road, and bivouacked after marching twenty 
miles. 

April 26th. — Constructed a bridge over the Meher- 
via River (the bridge had been burned by the Confed- 
erates during the Wilson raid) and continued the 
march on the plank road to near Boydton and biv- 
ouacked at midnight. 

April 27th. — Marched with the wagon train by 
Clarksville to the junction of Danville and Staunton 
and camped after midnight. On the march saw some 
of Lee's men on their way home. 

April 28tli. — Crossed the Staunton River, bridged 
by ferry boats, at Russell's Ferry, and marched by 
Scottsburg, on the Richmond & Danville Railroad, to 
hear Boston, where official information was received 
that Johnston had surrendered. AVent into bivouac 
before dark. 

April 29tli. — Countermarched and proceeded on the 
way back toward Petersburg, going via Mosely's 
Ferry and Staunton River and went into camp early. 



1865] Sixth Netv York Cavalry. 273 

April oOtli. — Marched by Williamsburg, Devin's 
division in the rear, and the Sixth New York with the 
train, and bivouacked at Pleasant Grove. 

May 1st.— Made a long march to Blacks and Whites 
on the Southsicle Eailroad. Strict orders were 
received against foraging. 

May 2d.— Marched by Wilson's and Farl's Shops 
and bivouacked sixteen miles from Petersburg. 

May 3d.— Marched to Petersburg and camped north 
of the Appomattox. 

May 4th to 9th. — In camp near the river. 

May 10th.— General Sheridan having gone by 
steamer to Washington the cavalry moved out of camp 
at 6 a.m. and started on its overland march to the 
same city, passing through iManchester and Richmond, 
and bivouacked on the Brook pike, five miles from the 
latter city, having traveled twenty-seven miles. Gen- 
eral Sherman's army having reached the city on its 
way to Washington, many pleasant greetings were 
exchanged by the men of the two armies as they met, 
mingled, and passed on northward toward home and 
friends. As the column marched through the streets 
of Richmond, some of the men pointed out the cele- 
brated "Hotel de Libby," where many of them had 
luxuriated in warmth and splendor ( f), while their less 
fortunate comrades were exposed to the perils of an 
open outdoor campaign life. 

May 11th.— Marched forty miles, going by the moun- 
tain road to within fifteen miles of Louisa C. H. 
Passed along the same roads it had traversed, and 
over which it had fought the year before, along the 
railroad it had torn up, and crossing the South Anna 
at Ground Squirrel Bridge, went into bivouac for the 



night. 



18 



274 Histonj of the [1865 

May 12tli. — Marclied about fifteen miles, crossing 
the railroad at Taylorsville, thence crossed the North 
Anna River and camped at 10 p.m. 

May 13th. — On the plank road leading from Orange 
C. H. to Fredericksburg. Crossed the Eapidan 
River at Raccoon Ford, and after a march of twenty- 
five miles went into camp at Stevensburg. 

May 14th. — Marched by Stevensburg and Brandy 
Station and crossed the Rappahannock River at Kel- 
ly's Ford and camped near Catlett's Station, on the 
Orange & Alexandria Railroad — distance, twenty- 
five miles. 

May 15tli. — Marched early by Manassas Junction 
and Bull Run to Fairfax C. H., twenty-four 
miles, and bivouacked, where the news of the capture 
of Jeff Davis was sounded through the camps. 

May 16tli. — Reached Alexandria about three o'clock 
and went into camp. 

May 17tli. — In camp between Alexandria and Wash- 
ington. 

May 21st. — Moved out of camp at 7 a.m., crossed the 
Long Bridge and, marching through Washington, 
went into camp at Bladensburg. 

May 22d. — Engaged in preparation for the 
approaching "grand review" of the Federal armies. 

May 23d. — The Army of the Potomac left its camp 
in the morning and marched through Pennsylvania 
Avenue, past the reviewing stand in front of the 
White House, and so on through various streets back 
to its camps, cheered by the thousands who crowded 
the streets along the line of march The waving of 
innumerable flags and handkerchiefs, the almost 
unbroken applause, and the many hearty words of con- 



1865] Sixth New York Cavalry. 275 

gratulations, were a pleasant and satisfying expe- 
rience to the men who had passed through the many 
trials and hardships of the several campaigns. 

May 29th. — Again the regiment broke camp and, 
marching through Washington, crossed the river and 
passing through Alexandria went into camp near 
Cloud's Mills, Va. During the month of June all men 
whose term of service would expire before Oct. 1st, 
1865, were mustered out of service. 

June l-tth. — Sergeant of Company 

jotted down in his diary: "We have drill twice a day 
now. I would like to drill Colonel White about six 
hours a day in the hot sun." It having been ordered 
that the Sixth New York and Fifteenth New York cav- 
alry regiments be consolidated, company for company, 
to be called the Second Provisional New York Cavalry, 
on the 20tli the orderly sergeants sent a petition 
to the War Department and the State Department 
remonstrating against it. 

June 21st. — Moved camp to that of the Fifteenth 
New York. 

June 22d. — Near midnight the Fifteenth opened fire 
on the Sixth headquarters, but the Sixth Regiment 
turned out and soon quelled the disturbance. 

June 23d. — The two regiments were consolidated 
and went into camp together, under command of Col. 
Harrison White. 

June 24th. — The Second Provisional Cavalry, num- 
bering about 1900 men, had a dress parade. 

June 26th. — Regiment received orders to get ready 
to go to Louisville, Ky., and was later on sent to Louis- 
ville, when Colonel White was assigned to the com- 
mand of the Second Brigade in Jeifersonville, across 
from Louisville. From there the regiment was 



276 History of the [1865 

ordered to Elmira, N. Y., for muster-out Aug. 9th, 
1865, having served the country for four years. It 
was retained, however, for further service, at Ehnira 
until Oct. 4th. 

And thus closed the military life of the 
Sixth New York Cavalry, after one of the 
bloodiest wars, if not the bloodiest, on record; a 
regiment that, by its bravery, promptness, vigilance, 
dash and dogged determination, had carved for 
itself a reputation second to none; a regiment that 
had participated in nearly 150 battles and engage- 
ments; a regiment whose colors had never been 
touched by traitor hands, but which had captured 
more flags from the enemy than any other regiment 
from New York State. Such deeds of heroism as 
were done during those four long years are never lost 
— their memory remains as an eternal inspiration. 

It was with mingled joy and sorrow that the regi- 
ment disbanded. Four years of hard, perilous expe- 
riences on the march, in camp, on picket, foraging, 
scouting, on the skirmish line and in line of battle, in 
the headlong charge, or the silent "stand to horse, "had 
welded together, in an imperishable comradeship, the 
hearts of its few survivors. The peaceful realization 
that the war was over, the delightful anticipation of 
the greetings of friends at home — the joy of it all — 
were overshadowed by that sad feeling of parting from 
the comrades with whom they had ' ' touched knees ' ' on 
so many long and weary marches. 

But the last handshake was given, the last farewell 
spoken, and the Sixth New York Cavalry had "broken 
ranks ; ' ' the men had departed to their several homes, 
there to take up the various pursuits in life, and to 



18()5] Sixth New York Cavalry. '277 

continue, in peace, the reputation tliey had so dearly 
bought in war. 

And may the God of heaven be and abide with each 
and every survivor. 



Roster 

Roster, alphabetically, by company. Names of 
officers appear on the roll of the company with which 
they first served. * in "remark" column means 
transferred to Second New York Provisional Cav- 
alrv, and continued in service until October, 1865. 



Field and Staff. 



Name and Ranks Held 

Devin, Thomas C, Colonel 
Fitzhugh, Chas. L., Colonel 
McVicar, Duncan, Lieut. -col. 
Dailey, James B., Major 
Clarkson, Floyd, Major 
Crocker, Geo. A., 1st Lieut. 

and Adjt., Captain 
Crocker, Geo. D., Chaplain 
McKay, Lawrence, Surgeon 
Peters, Joseph A., Surgeon 
Clarke, Augustus P., Asst. 

Surgeon, Surgeon 
Curran, Richard, Asst. Surg. 
Brundage, Amos H., Asst. 

Surgeon 
Schoener, Jacob C. , Bat. Q.M. , 

Bat. Adjutant 
Mahnken, John H., Bat. Q.M. , 

Bat. Adjt., 1st Lieut., Capt. 
Mann, Wm. L., Bat. Q.M., 

Bat. Adjutant 



Mustered in 

Nov. 18, '61 
Feb. 18, '65 
Oct. 23, '61 
Oct. 15, '61 
Nov. 11, '61 

Nov. 11, '61 

Dec. 14, '61 
Not given 
Oct. 6, '62 

Oct. 2, '61 

July 1, '63 

Jan. 14, '65 

Oct. 28, '61 

Oct. 15, '61 

Oct. 15, '61 



Mustered out 

Dec. 8, '64 
June 17, '6o 
Apr. 30, '63 
Sept. 6, '62 
Oct. 13, '63 

May 15, '65 

June 17, '(i5 
Oct. 1, '62 
Mar. 2, '63 

June 17, '65 

Sept. 18, '64 

June 18, '65 

Oct. 27, '62 

June 20, '64 

Dec. 28, '63 



Remarks 

Promoted Brig. -gen. Vols. 

* Brevt. Brig. -general 
Killed at Spottsyl vania C . H . 



To Surgeon 9th N. Y. Cav. 



Promoted to Captain and 
A. A. G. 



NoN- Commissioned Staff. 



Bailey, Amanda, Hospital q^^ -^g^ >^^ 

Matron 

Bass, William H., Hospital j^t^^ ^.j^^gj-^ 

Steward '^ 

Hooker, Joseph, Hospital p^^ 5^ ,^^[ 

Steward 



June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 



O'Neil, Richard, Sergt., Major, -j^^^, 2, '«l 
2d Lieutenant 



Nov. 12, '63 
Ge'rkinrHenryV Chief Bugler Nov. 27, '61 Nov. 1, '62 



No record after Dec. 31, '61 



280 



History of the 



Name and Ranks Held 

Orme, Freeman, Captain 
Patterson, F. A., 1st Lieut. 
Jackson, D. T., 2d Lieut. 
Allen, A. G., Sergt., Private 
Ames, Martin L., Private 
Armstrong, Edmund V. , Qr. 
Mr. Sergt., Corp., Sergt. 
Austin, William, Corporal, 

Qr. Mr. Sergt. 
Bannister, WT H., Sergeant, 

1st Sergt., Sergt. Major 
Bayard, Fred'k E., Private 
Berrigane, Joseph, Private, 

Corporal 
Black, Charles, Private 
Bloomfield, Geo. W., Private 
Bogert, Wm. H., Private 
Brennan, James, Private 
Burgee, John W., Corporal, 

Private 
Burney, John W., Private, 

Wagoner 
Cadmus, Geo. W., Private 
Campbell, Luke, Private 
Capon, James, Private 
Carmody, Michael, Private 
Chapman, Albert, Private 
Chappell, Robert, Private 
Collins, John, Priv., Corp. 
Conahay, John, Private 
Conklin, John M., Private 
Conner, Jeremiah, Private 
Cooledge, Nelson, Private 
Cooley, H. F., Private 
Cram, Clarence D., Private 
Crowley, Michael, Private 
Curley, Patrick, Private 
Dahany, William, Private 
Day, Edward, Private, Cor- 
poral, Sergeant 
Dean, George A. , Corp. , Priv 
Denyse, John C. . Corporal 
Dewar, Peter, Private, Ser- 
geant, 1st Sergeant 
Dickson, Henry^ Private 
Dickson, James, Private 
Doherty, Charles, Private 
Dolan, Patrick, Private 
Donaldson, John, Private 
Dooley, John, Private 
Drenen, P. H., Corp., Sergt. 
Dunlap, Robert, Private 



Company A. 

Mustered in Mustered out 



Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 
Dec. 28, '64 

Sept. 24, '61 

Oct. 8, '61 

Sept. 12, '61 

Sept. 12, '61 

Sept. 12, '61 

Not given 
Sapt. 12, '61 
Aug. 13, '62 
Apr. 21, '64 

Sept. 12, '61 

1861 

Sept. 13, '62 
Sept. 8, '62 
Dec. 30, '64 
Sept. 12, '61 

1861 
Aug. 18, '62 
Aug. 13, '62 
Sept. 12, '61 
Aug. 13, '62 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 3, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 

Nov. 

Sept. 
Aug. 

Sept. 

Feb. 
Dec. 
Not 
Sept. 
Oct. 
Aug. 
Sept. 
Jan. 



June 27, '62 
Sept. 23, '62 
Oct. 27, '62 

May 21, '65 
Sept. 28, '64 

June 27, '65 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 26, '65 

Jan. 24, '65 
June 5, '65 
June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 

June 5, '65 
June 5, '65 
June 17, '65 
Dec. 21, '61 
June 17, '65 
Aug. 13, '64 
Aug. 26, '65 



June 17, '65 
July 19, '65 
June 18, '62 



9, '61 June 27, '65 
12, '61 
2, '62 



12, '61 

17, '62 
28, '64 
given 
15, '62 
8, '61 
14, '62 
12, '61 
11, '65 



Mar. 28, '63 
Sept. 4, '64 

June 17, '65 



June 5, '65 
Apr. 30, '63 
Aug. 9, '65 



Remarks 



Died of disease 
At Harper's Ferry, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



At Annapolis, Md. 

Missing July 19, 1862 

Died at Florence, S. C. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

* 

For disability 

Died at Andersonville, Ga. 
At New York City 

Missing July 15, '63 



For disability 

For disability 

Missing August 8, 1862 

Missing June, 1862 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 
Killed at Berryville, Va. 



Missing January 2, 1864 
Missing October, 1864 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Killed at SpottsylvaniaC. H. 

At Washington, D. C. 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 



281 



Name and Ranks Held 

Easton, Fergus A. , 1st Sergt. , 

2d Lieut. , 1st Lieut. , Adj . 
Erickson, Chas. J., Private 
Evans, Jonas, Private 
Farrell, Thomas, Private 
Farrell, William, Private 
Fitzpatriok, Felix, Private 
Flynn, Owen O., Private 
Forbes, William, Private 
Francis, Peter, Private 
French, Thomas, Sergeant, 

1st Sergt., 2d Lieutenant 
Gafirey, John 0., Private 
Gale, Abel S., Private, Corp. 
Gallagher, Patrick, Private 
Galvin, John, Private 
Gilbert, Wm. J., Private 
Glenn, James J., Private 
Goddard, Henry, Private 
Goodale, Edgar J. , Private 
Goodfellow, Alanson, Priv., 

Corp., Sergt., 1st Sergt., 

1st Lieutenant 
Grady, Patrick W., Private 
Gross, Edward S., Regt. Qr. 

Mr. Sergt., Private 
Hannan, James, Private 
Hardy, George, Priv., Corp. 
Harris, George, Private 
Harrison, George, Priv. , Far. 
Hatfield, Jesse K., Private 
Hawley, IMichael, Private 
Hayden, Horace, Private 
Hayes, John, Private 
Hemmingway, Charles B., 

Priv., Corp., Sergeant 
Henderson, Robert A., Priv., 

Corporal 
Henry, John, Private 
Herron, John, Private 
Hogan, Patrick, Private 
Hope, George W., Private, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Hyland, John, Priv., Corp. 
Inman, Seymour, Private 
Ireton, William, Private 
Jewett, E. Han-is, Corporal, 

Private 
Johnson, John, Private 
Keeler, Timothy, Corporal 
Kelly, Thomas, Private 
Kennedy, Thomas, Corporal, 

Sergeant 
Kennon, Thos., Jr., Qr. Mr. 

Sergeant, Vet. Surgeon 



Mustered in 

Sept. 12, '01 

Sept. 12, '(il 
Sept. 18, '()2 
Aug. 19, '(52 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 17, '62 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 
Dec. 29, '04 

Sept. 12, '01 

Sept. 12, '01 
Feb. 29, '64 
Sept. 9, '62 
Dec. 28, '64 
Sept. 12, '61 
Apr. 4, '62 
Dec. 30, '64 
Sept. 12, '61 

Oct. 1, '61 

Sept. 16, '02 

Nov. 6, '61 

Sept. 12, '01 
Oct. 8, '01 
Not given 
Aug. 20, '02 
Sept. 18, '02 
Sept. 12, '01 
Not given 
Aug. 19, '02 

Aug. 20, '02 

Sept. 12, '01 

Dec. 28, '04 
Sept. 12, '01 
Aug. 25, '02 

Sept. 12, '01 

Aug. 19, '62 
Dec. 20, '64 
Mch. 7, '64 

Sept. 12, '01 

Sept. 11, '02 
Sept. 12, '01 
Mch. 14, '64 

Not given 
Sept. 12, '61 



Mustered out 
July 26, '63 

June 5, '65 
June 5, '65 

June 5, '65 
Dec. 8, '62 
Dec, 1863 

May 2S, '63 

Feb. 28, '63 
June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 

Feb. 23, '63 

June 17, '65 

May 15, '65 

June 5, '65 
July 24, '02 
Apr. 30, '03 



June 5, '65 

Sept. 18, '64 
June 5, '05 

Jan. 13, '61 
June 17, '65 

June 5, '65 

Sept. 3, '64 

May 30, '64 
July 5, '65 
June 17, '65 

July 21, '04 

June 5, '05 

June 27, '05 



Remarks 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
Killed June 0, 1805 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 

Transferred to Invalid Corps 

Missing March 25, 1805 

For wounds 

For disability 
* 

Missing January 2, 1804 



For disability 
Missing April 30, 1805 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 

For disability 
Missing Feliruary 9, 1804 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
No further record 

Died at Andersonville, Ga. 



For disability 

* 

Missing Feb. 9, '04 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For wounds 

Killed in action 

At Washington, D. C. 

* 

Commissioned in another 
resiment 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Missing April, 1865 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

No further record. 



282 



History of the 



Name and Ranks Held 

Keraham, Fred'k, Private, 

Corporal 
Keys, Gardiner L. , Private 
King, Theodore E., Sergt., 

Hospital Steward 
Knight, Pleasant L., Private 
Knowlton, Remembrance, 

Private, Corporal 
Landers, James, Private 
Leavitt, John S., Private, 

Wagoner 
Lellis, Joseph, Private 
Lewis, Albert A., Private 
Locraft, Bernard, Private 
Lucas, Josiah, Private 
Lyman, Edwin, Private 
]Maggher, John, Private 
Maloney, Michael, Private 
Martaugh, John, Private 
Martin, John, Private 
May, Orange S., Private 
McAdams, Samuel, Private 
McAllen, James, Saddler 
McCormic, John, Private 
McCugh, Felix, Private 
McDonald, Hiram, Private 
McDonaugh, Patrick, Priv. 
McDonnell, Peter, Private 
McGovern, Cormic, Private 
MoGovern, Edward, Private 
McGuire, Patrick, Bugler 
]\IcIlhone, Thomas, Private 
Mclnerney, Michael, Private 
McLellan, Asro D., Private, 

Corporal 
Merrill, C. Alfred, Private, 

Bugler, Chief Bugler 
Moir, Henry, Private 
Moir, William H., Private 
Morgan, Hugh, Corporal 
Morrison, Edward, Private 
Morrison, George, Private 
Morse, Roswell, Corp., Sergt. 
Mort, John, Private 
Mullineaux, Jesse, Private 
Mungay, John, Private 
Murphy, John, Private 
Murphy, Michael, Private 
Murphy, Gwen, Private 
Murray, James, Private 
Murray, Robert T. , Private 
New by, Thomas, Corporal 
Nichols, Theodore, Corporal 
Nitcher, Wm. W., Private, 

Bugler 



Mustered in 

Aug. 20,. '62 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 27, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 

Apr. 12, '64 

Sept. 12, '61 
Aug. 19, '62 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 
Aug. 13, '62 
Oct. 8, '61 
Aug. 29, '62 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 15, '64 
Sept. 12, '61 
Aug. 27, '62 
Sept. 9, '62 
Feb. 12, '64 
Sept. 12, '61 
Aug. 19, '62 
Sept. 8, '62 
Sept. 19, '62 
Sept. 12, '61 
Not given 
Aug. 20, '62 

Sept. 12, '61 



Mustered out 

June 5, '65 
Sept. 18, '61 
Mar. 4, '62 



June 17, '65 
Sept. 2, '62 

June 5, '65 



June 5, '65 
Nov. 2, '64 
June 5, '65 
Dec. 21, '61 
June 5, '65 

June 5, '65 
June 5, '65 
June 17, '65 

July 1, '63 
June 5, '65 
Oct. 24, '62 
Oct. 19, '63 

Jan. 25, '65 
Aug. 21, '65 



Remarks 



Sept. 12, '61 Nov. 19, '62 

Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 

Sept. 12, '61 June 17, '65 

Oct. 8, '61 Jan. 25, '62 

Oct. 8, '61 Oct. 19, '64 

1861 June 27, '65 

Sept. 12, '61 July 1, '63 

Aug. 12, '62 Mar. 17, '64 

Aug. 23, '62 May 30, '64 

Sept. 12, '61 Dec. 24, '64 
Sept. 12, '61 

Aug. 23, '62 July 9, '64 

Aug. 23, '62 Oct. 21, '62 

Oct. 8, '61 June 17, '65 
Sept. 12, '61 

Oct. 8, '()1 Sept. 19, '64 

Sept. 12, '61 Feb. 14, '63 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

By order of court 

For disability 



Died in Goshen, Md. 
Missing December 2, 1864 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Died at Andersonville, Ga. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



Missing June, 1863 

Transferred to Invalid Corps 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 

Died of wounds 

For disability 
At New York city 

For disability 



Died at York, Pa. 

Killed in action 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Transferred to Invalid Corps 

For disability 

Killed in action 

Died at Salisbury, N. C. 

For disability 
Killed at Wheatland, Va. 



Killed at Winchester, Va. 
For disability 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 



283 



Name and Ranks Held 

Norcross, B. F., Private 
O'Brien, James, Private 
O'Brien, John, Private 
O'Donoughue, Dan., Farrier 
O'Hare, Bernard, Private, 

Blacksmith 
O'Hare, Martin, Priv., Corp. 
O'Keefe, Micliael, Private 
O'Rourke, Patrick, Private 
Osterhart, Oscar A. , Private 
Palmer, James H., Private 
Pendergrast, Edward, Private 
Perry, John, Private 
Pickett, John, Private 
Pike, Gordon H., Private 
Pinkham, Wilson, Corporal 
Rankin, Samuel, Private 
Ransom, Nelson B., Private 
Reals, Charles, Corp., Sergt. 
Reddy, Austin P., Private 
Roberts, Orlando S., Private 
Robertson, John, Private 
Rodgers, James, Private 
Roston, Wm. R., Bugler, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Russell, Frank, Private 
Ryan, Patrick, Private 
Shaughnessy, James, Private, 

Corporal 
Silvey, Joseph, Private 
Smith, Howard M., Sergt., 

Sergeant Major 
Smith, James, Private 
Smith, LeroyS., Priv., Corp. 
Smith, William, Private 
Taylor, Albert, I'rivate 
Taylor, John, Private 
Taylor, William, Private 
Taylor, William, Private 
To wnsend , H ezeki ah , Priv . 
Tyson, John, Private 
Ulings, Thomas, Private 



Mustered in 

Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 
Oct. 8, '61 

Sept. 12, '61 

Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 
Oct. 8, '61 

Not given 
Feb. 29, '64 
Aug. 11, '62 
Dec. 28, '64 
Aug. 20, '62 
Aug. 11, '62 
Sept. 12, '61 
Dec. 28, '64 
Sept. 12, '61 
Oct. 8, '61 
Aug. 19, '62 
Sept. 12, '61 
Sept. 12, '61 

Not given 

Sept. 12, '61 

Sept. 10, '62 
Aug. 23, '62 

Aug. 10, '62 

Dec. 29, '64 

Oct. 8, '61 

Not given 
Sept. 12, '61 
Feb. 11, '64 

Not given 
Sept. 12, '61 
Aug. 27, '62 
Sept. 12, '61 
Aug. P. 1,' 64 
Sept. 27, '64 
Aug. 5, '62 



Van Hannick, Wm., Private Aug. 5, '62 

Van Hannick, John, Private Aug. 12, '62 

Ward, Joseph H., Private Aug. 21, '62 

Warner, Charles, Private Not given 

Wayne, AVm. J., Private Not given 

Welsh, Edward, Private Aug. 21, '62 

Wilkinson Jas. H., Farrier, g ^r> ,^^ 

Cor])oral ^ ' 

WMlson, John, Private Not given 

Winans, Chas. I., Private Sept. 12, '61 



Mustered out 

June 24, '62 
Sept. 11, '64 
Mar, 16, '63 



Jan. 13, '65 
June 17, '65 



June 12, '65 
Dec. 2, '64 
June 17, '65 
June 5, '65 
June 5, '65 

June 17, '65 
Dec. 21, '61 
Feb. 2, '65 
Dec. 21, '63 
Oct. 19, '61 



June 17, '65 

June 5, '65 

Aug. 24, '64 

June 17, '65 

Oct. 11, '62 

Sept. 22, '62 
Nov. 6, '62 

Dec. 8, '62 



June 

Nov. 
June 



5, '65 
2, '64 
8, '63 



June 5, '65 
June 26, '62 

June 5, '65 
June 27, '65 



Remarks 

For disability 
At New York 
For disability 

At New York city 



Missing July 19, 1862 

At AVashington, D. C. 

Died at Salisbury, N. C. 

* 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Deserted December 18, 1861 

* 

For disability 

Died of disease 

Transferred to Invalid Corps 

For promotion in the Navy 

Missing January, 1862 

Missing September 10, 1862 



Missing July 1, 1863 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Died at Andersonville, Ga. 



For disability 

For disability 

For disability 

No further record 

Missing July 23, 1862 

For disability 
Missing October, 1864 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Died of disease 

For disability 

Captured September 4, 

1864 — Probably died while 

prisoner of war 

Missing February 28, 1863 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 

Missing June, 1862 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



Missing June 11, 1862 



284 



History of the 



Name and Ranks Held 

AVood, Isaac, Private 
Wood, John M. , Private 



Mustered in 

Aug. 2, '62 
Sept. 12, '61 



Mustered out 

May 16, '65 

Sept. 28, '64 



Total number of men in company, 182. 
Total number of men commissioned, 4. 



Remarks 

For wounds 
At Harper's Ferry, Va. 



Medlar, Frank B., Captain, 

2d Lieutenant 
Hall, Hillman A., 1st Lieu- 
tenant, Captain 
Howell, J. P., 2d Lieuten- 
ant, 1st Lieut., Captain 
Morton, Ellison M., 1st Lieut. 
Allen, Robert, Private, Ser- 
geant, 2d Lieutenant 
Ashley, Benjamin, Private 
Austin, E. W., Private 
Avig, William, Private 
Aymer, James, Private 
Banner, Robert, Private 
Barber, John W., Corporal 
Barlow, John li., Private 
Beach, Edward, Private 
Bennett, Owen, Private 
Bentley, William, Bugler, 

Chief Bugler 
Berge, Andrew, Private 
Bigg, Joseph, Private 
Bivens, Joseph O., Farrier 
Blauvelt, John W., Private 
Bliss, Orlando, Private 
Bogart, William, Private 

Bogert, John, Private 

Boyd, Abraham Z., Sergeant 
Boyd, John T., Saddler, 

Sergeant 
Boyer, Geo. M. D., Private 
Bronson, Marcus D., Private 
Brophy, John, Private 
Bross, Albert W., Private 
Bross, H. B., Private 
Bross, Henry L., Private 
Brown, John, Private 
Bro^\n, Thomas, Private 
Brown, Wm. A., Private, 

Sergeant 
Burke, John H., Private 
Burns, Edward, Private 
Cahill, Thos. W., Private 
Carr, John W., Private 



Company B. 

Sept. 27, '61 Apr. 3, '62 
Sept. 27, '61 Feb. 8, '65 



Sept. 27 


'61 


Dec. 8 


'64 


Feb. 4, 


'65 


June 28, 


'65 


Sipt. 27 


'61 


Oct. 31, 


'64 


Aug. 14, 


'62 


Dec. 2, 


'63 


Apr. 2, 


'62 


Aug. 4, 


'62 


Dec. 31, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


Aug. 9, 


'62 






Sept. 27, 


'61 






Sept. 7, 


'61 


Aug. 29, 


'64 


Not given 


Jan. 23 


'65 


Aug.il, 


'62 


June 5, 


'65 


Sept. 27, 


'61 


Feb. 9, 


'64 


Sept. 27 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 4, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Dec. 29, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


Sept. 27, 


'61 


Sept. 19, 


'64 


Sept. 17, 


'62 


June 5, 


'65 


Not given 






Feb. 10, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


Oct. 15, 


'61 


Apr. 22, 


'64 


Sept. 27, 


'61 


Nov. 25, 


'63 


Sept. 27, 


'61 


June 27, 


'65 


Jan. 11, 


'62 


June 5, 


'65 


July 26, 


'62 


June 17, 


'65 


Jan. 5, 


'65 






Sept. 27, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Sept. 27, 


'61 


Apr. 30, 


'63 


Sept. 27, 


'61 


Feb. 3, 


'62 


Jan. 26, 


'65 






Jan. 4, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


Oct. 2, 


'61 


June 27, 


'65 


Sept. 27, 


61 


Sept. 19, 


'64 


Jan. 4, 


65 


June 17, 


65 


Not given 


Mar. 18, 


'63 


Nov. 24, 


63 


July 6, 


64 



Recom'd 2d Lieut. Apr. 4, 
'62. ResignedJune8, '62. 

For disability 



As supernumerary 

Near Middletown, Va. 

Transf'd to 82d N. Y. Vols. 
For disability 

Missing December, 1862 

Killed at Smithfield, Va. 

For disability 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 



At Harper's Ferry, Va. 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



Dishonorably discharged 

for desertion 

Transferred to Invalid Corps 

As supernumerary 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

* 

Missing May 24, 1865 
* 

For disability 

For disability 

Missing February 24, 1865 



At Harper's Ferry, Va. 

* 

For disability 
For disability 



Sixth Netv York Cavalry. 



285 



Name and Ranks Held 

Cartier, Daniel, Private 
Cartwriglit, John B., Private 
Gating, James, Serg't, 2d 

Lieut. , 1st Lieut. , Capt. 
Clandell, Edwin, Private 
Chesbie, Horace, Private 
Colsh, David, Private 
Conahan, John M., Private, 

Saddler 
Concklin, Jacob W., Private 
Cook, John W., Private 
Coyle, John, Private 
Cuft', Jacob W., Private 
Cummings, Theodore, Priv. 
Cunningham, Wm., Private 
Dade, VViUiam, Private 
Davis, Clark, Private 
DeMeyer, Henry M., Corp. 
Dennis, Frank W., Private 
Derkin, AVilliam, Private 
Dougherty, Neill, Private, 

Corporal 
Duliois, Joseph, Private 
Duffy, James, Private 
Dulay, Francis R., Private 
Dunn, Patrick, Private 
Dyer, Patrick, Private 
Eadie, Alfred J., Private 
Eadie, John, Private 
Eaton, Robert, Corporal 
Edwards, George, Sergeant 
Edwards, John M., Farrier 
Engelkis, Albert, Private 
Ferguson, John, Private 
Fiege, Charles. Private 
Fish, David, Private 
Flannigan, Wm., Private 
Gardiner, Nelson, Private 
Garney, William, Private 
Gilmour, John, Private 
Girr, John, Private 
Glasser, Everhard, Private 
Green, Archable, Private 
Groat, Edgar, Bugler 
Haley, Patrick, Private 
Hankins, John D., Private 
Hanson, Peter, Private 
Hart, John S., Priv., Corp. 
Hathaway, Thos., Private 
Hayden, Peter, Priv., Corp. 
Hayden, Thomas, Private 
Heischel, Joseph, Private 
Hicks, Caleb G., Private 
Hilt, Adam, Private 



Clustered 


iu 


Mustered out 


Remarks 


Dec, 26, 


'64 


June 1?, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 12, 


'61 


Aug. 28, 


'62 


Died at Alexandria, Va. 


Sept. 27, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27, 


'61 








Not given 








Aug. 7, 


'62 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Sept. 27, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27, 


'61 








Sept. 27, 


'61 








Aug. 14, 


'62 






Missing December, 1862 


Oct. 15, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


July 21, 


'62 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Sept. 27, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Feb. 17, 


'62 






Missing June, 1862 


Jan. 4, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 13, 


'61 








Not given 








Sept. 27, 


'61 


Sept. 19, 


'64 


At Harper's Ferry, Va. 


Sept. 27, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 25, 


'61 








Sept. 27, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 4, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 20, 


'61 








Sept. 8, 


'62 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Aug. 12, 


•62 


Apr. 13, 


'63 


Died at Falmouth, Va. 


Sept. 27, 


'61 






Missing July, 1862 


Sept. 27, 


'61 


June 27, 


'65 


As supernumerary 


Aug. 16, 


'62 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Jan. 5, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27, 


'61 


Mar. 23, 


'64 


For disability 


Sept. 27, 


'61 


June 11, 


'65 


For disability 


Sept. 22, 


'61 








Sept. 27, 


'61 


Feb. 1, 


'64 


Died at New York 


Not given 






Missing April, 1862 


Jan. 3, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Dec. 28, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Not giv 


pn 


June 23, 


'64 


Killed at Jones' Bridge, Va. 


Jan. 6, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Dec. 28, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27, 


'61 


Apr. 13, 


'63 


For disability 


Jan. 3, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Feb. 12, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


July 26, 


'62 






Missing August 9, 1863 


Sept. 7, 


'61 


Sept. 1, 


'62 


For disability 


Sept. 27, 


'61 


June 24, 


'63 


Died of wounds 


Aug. 4, 


'62 


Nov. 20, 


'62 


For disability 


Aug. 4, 


'62 






Missing September 12, 1862 


Jan. 6, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27, 


'61 








Sept. 27, 


'61 









2SC 



Xivmo aiul Ranks Holil 

Hogenoamp. .\lfn\n... Triv. 
Holtnos. Eviwiirvl. IVivate 
Howarvi. Rartholomow. Priv. 
How-ell. Ch!U<. H.. IVivate 
Howoy. W alter G., IVivate. 

Corporal. S^i>^^ant 
Hvland. .\loxanvler. IVivate 
vToimsou. IVWitt C. Private 
John;?\Mi. William. IVivate 
Jones. Thos. W., IVivate 
Koan. Fraiiois. IMvato 
Kelly. iitvr^>. Private 
Koi\iie<.ly. .lame;!. Private 
Kemu\iy. .lehn, IVivate 
Kiukley. Shirley. Private 
Ltiiuien*. James. Pri\-ate 
Larkiu, John A.. lM\t»te 
Larkiti. \Villian\. Corjvral 
Leehrin^. Henry I... lYivate 
Lehman. John K.. IMvate 
Lehman. Oharle?!. l>ivate 
Light. Wm. H.. Private 
Mahoney. John. l>i\-j»te 
Main. John G.. Ser^t,. 1st 

Serjrt.. 1st Lieut., Adj't 
Mayer. Eli. lVi\-ate 
McAlier. Bnunarvl. Pri\-ate 
Mcl\v. Alex. MiH?.. Pri\-ate 
M^xinuh. William. Prix-ate 
Mv^tiuirw Franois. Private 
Mol^hren. Wm.. Pri\-ate. 

Cor^H>ral 
McMan. Jeremial>, Private 
MeVey. John. Corp.. Sergi, 
Miller. Jonathan. lVi\-ate 
Mislvr. Gavier. lVi\-iite. 
>rorns. Ralph H.. IVivate 
Morris. Wm. J,. Pri\-ate 
Mosher. Philip. lYi\-aix^ 
Mvillen. Patriek. IViA-ate 
Murtai^srh. James. l"Vi\-ate 
Myer^. John T.. IVivate 
Myers. ThvMU** T. . Pri\-iite 
Older. James. Private 
Ols^m. Rioharvl IL. Pri\iue 
Oaiiis, Anthony. Warmer 
Panoost, Charles. Prmite 
Pool. Kolvrt. Cor^x^ral 
IMme. Chas, L.. lM\-ate 
l\i^h. Huch F.. 1st Ser^^aiit 
Pii^h. William. Pri\-ate. 
Quick. Martin. Corp.. Servrt. 
Kaokett. Jonathan W., iS-i- 

\-ate. Corporal 



irt^tortf of the 



Mustered in 


Mustered out 


Remarks 


Sept, 27, '01 


June 17, 


'65 


♦ 


rVe.30. *tVl 


Jime 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27. '01 


June 17. 


"tv=i 


* 


Not given 


Apr. 10, 


'04 


For disability 


Aug. 29, '62 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills. Va. 


Deo. S. '03 


.Tune 17. 


'65 


« 


Sept. 27. '01 


June 17. 


'ti5 


» 


Not given 


Jitne 17. 


'05 


Jk 


Xot gi\-eu 








»1ai\. 4, 'tv> 






Missinc February 24. lSt>5 


July 20. 't»2 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud-s Mills, Va. 


Sep"t.27."01 


June 17. 


't>5 


* 


E»ee. 11. "tv? 


June 17. 


'i>5 


« 


Dec. oO. "tU 


June 17, 


*05 


• 


Sept. 27. 'tU 








Sept. 27. '01 


June 17. 


'05 


» 


Sept. 27. '01 








Sept. 27. '01 






Missing October 13. 1S62 


Jan. 0. "05 






Missing" February 24. 1S65 


J.an. 0. 'lie* 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27. '01 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 4, 'lio 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27. '01 


Oct. 19. 


'W 


Killeil at CevLsr Creek. Va. 


Sept. 27, '01 








Sept. 27. '01 






No further record 


Sept. 27. '01 






No furtlier recorvi 


Sept. 27. '01 






Missing February P. IStU 


Not gi\-en 








Oet. 1, '01 


July 22. 


•tB 


Died from sunstroke 


Jan. 4. '05 


June 17. 


"05 


» 


S<-pt.2^>.'01 


J.^n. IS. 


"05 


At New York city 


Sept. 27. "01 






DropjW from rolls Oct.. "01 


Sept. 27. '01 






Missing June, 1S62 


Mar. 2.'<>4 


June 17, 


'65 


» 


Not given 


June 17, 


'65 


» 


Sept. 27. 01 








Jan. 3. '05 


June 17, 


"65 


* 


Sept. 21. "61 








Not given 






No further record 


Not gi\-en 








Sept. 27. "01 


June 17. 


•65 


V 


Sept. 27. 01 


Apr. SO. 


'62 


For disability 


Sept. 27. '01 


Sept. 19. 


"tU 


At Harjvr"s Ferry. Va. 


Sept. 9. tt? 


Dec. 4. 


"62 


For disability 


Sept. 27. '01 








Sept. 27. '01 








Sept, 27. "01 


Apr. 15, 


'03 


Coramissioiied in 13th Cav'y 


Sept. 27. '01 








Sept. 27. '01 


June 17, 


"05 


« 


Oct. 12. "01 


June 17, 


"65 


♦ 



Sept. 27, '61 








Not tjiven 








Oct., 18t)l 


Jniu' 


25, 


'(15 


Sept. 27, '()1 


Dec. 


4, 


'(12 


So|)t. 27, '(11 








Alls,'. 1, '(12 


Jan. 


2!), 


'(i;; 


S(>i)t. 27, '(11 








Aui,'. i:;, '(12 


.hiiic 


'^, 


'(15 


.Iiiii. li», '(U 


Oct. 


20, 


"(Vl 


!\I:if. 22, '(12 


A UK'. 


IS, 


'(14 


.Ian. (1. '(>') 


.luiic 


1", 


'(15 


Sci>t. 27, '(11 


Jan. 


1, 


•(i;5 



Sixth New York ('((ralr//. 2S7 

Niiiiir 1111(1 Kanks Held Mustcrcil in MiistiTtMl oiU, KoniarUs 

Raflerty, Pctcf, Privati' 

RansoM, Fayette, Trivate 

Riley. .lames II., Private 

Rood, Josepii r., SevKeaiit Sept. 27, '(11 Dec. 4, '(12 For (lisal>ility 

Roselle, .loseph, Corporal 

Rourlvo, .lames, Trivate Ausi;. 1, '(12 .laii. 2!), '(i;'> For disaiiility 

Ivu<j;ji, (ieorL'e W., Private 

Ryan, Oorni'lius, Private Au.u;. l!!, '(12 .hine S, '(15 For (Usability 

Ryan, .lolm, Private .Ian. li», '(11 Oct. 20, "(Vl Died at Florence's. 0. 

Saujxer, Simon C, Privati 

Asst. Snr<:eon 
Sclson, Peter, Private 

Seeley,CIuis. II., Ulacksn\itli Sei>t. 27, '(11 .Ian. l,'(i;5 For disal)ility 

Seymour, (uH.r-e, Private, ^ept. 27, '(11 .Iunel7, '(15 

Uc)r{)oral ' ' 

Sheridan, John, Private Jan. 4, '(15 June 17, '(15 * 

Simons, Lyman N., Private, (j i - ',■! \ •>i\ ';■.) i.^ i- i -r* 

,1 ' V Sept. I, t)l Apr. .>0, ()2 lU)r disal)Uitv 

Corporal i > i > j 

Sims, David, Private Not y:iven Missini; February 'A, 1S(12 

Smith, Frank 11., Private Jan. 5, '(15 June 17, '(>5 * 

Smith, .lames, Pi'ivate .Ian. (1, '(15 IMissinij; !\Iay 17, 18(15 

Snow, Francis M, Private ^n-. 11,'(12 June 27, '(15 Fnmi hospital 

Corp., Ser^t. , 1st Nerijt. "^ ' 

Spronl, William, Private Sept. 4, '(12 May 24, '(15 On account of wounds 

Stanley, Liueaus H. Private, Sept. 7, '(11 Dec. 4, '(12 For disalHlity 

Corj)oral, Ser<i;eant i > > j 

Stanton, Fred' k 1']., Private Sept. 27, '(11 .Iunel7, '(15 * 

Stripe, Mor^Mii, Priv., Corp. Sept. 27, '(II ,Iune 17, '()5 * 

Taylor, .lames. Private .Ian. 5, '(15 .lune 17, '(15 * 

Thompson, .lolin. Private Jan. 4, '(15 .lune 17, '(15 * 

Tniber, John (J., Private Sept. 27, '(11 Dec. 1(1, '(i:? Died at Pou,uhk(>epsie, N. Y. 

Tresnon, Peter, Private July 2(1, '(12 May II, '(14 

Tricker, Archehle, Private Dec. 2l», '(14 Ai)r. 1,'(15 Died of disease 

Van Winkle, (Christopher, ,, , o x't i i- w- « 

t, • , ' ' lUMi. 2, ()l .lune I /, (>.) * 

Private ' ' 

Wainwri.trht, Matthew, Priv. June 20, '(12 .luiie 17, '(15 * 

AVard, .lohn. Private Any;. 12, '(11 .Ian. 4, '(i;? For disability 

Welch, Richard, Private Oct. 18, '(54 June 17, '(15 * 

Wells, Theodore W., Private Sept. 27, '(11 .lune 17, '(15 

West, Harvey R., Private Sept. 27, '(U 



Transferred to Vet. Res. 
Corps 



A\ lie pley, Isaac ., Private, ,. , o~ >/•! i i oi' '/.o i^ i- i -i-t 

.^ * •", Sept. 2(, ()1 .Inly 2(), ()2 iMir disabditv 

Coi-poi'al 1 > J I J 

"Williams, Oeorue, Private Jan. 5, '65 June 17, '65 * 

Wilson, (leoru'e. Private Sept. 16, '62 Missinfi; .Iniie IS, 1S(1;; 

Wilson, ,Iohn, Private Sept. 27, '61 

AVinuie, Peter, Private Sept. 27, '61 

AVrifjht, (leorjje R., Private Sept. 27, '61 

Wynn, Edward, Private Dec. 30, '(J4 June 17, '65 * 

Young, James, Private Sept. 27, '61 , lune 17, '65 * 

Total number of men in eomiiany, 17(>. 
Total numlu'r of men couunissioned, 5. 



288 



History of the 



Company C. 



Name and Ranks Held 

Stanley, James W., Captain 
Pierce, John, 1st Lt., Capt. 
Smith, Vohiey V., 2d Lieut. 
Farmer, George E. , 2d Lieu- 
tenant, Captain, Major 
Abbott, Parley, Private 
Andrus, Hiram M., Private 
Angood, John, Private 
Applin, John, Priv., Corp. 
Babcock, Daniel A., Pri- 
vate, Sergeant 
Bailey, Wiflard T., Private 
Bailey, Zenas, Private 
Bardick, Allen P., Private 
Barnes, Elias, Private 
Barnes, Harvey, Private 
Barnes, Warren, Private 
Bartholomew, Chas.H., Pri- 
vate 
Parts, George, Private 
Beal, Stephen T. , Private 
Beckwith, David 0., Private 
Beck with, Morton, Private 
Beers, Herman S., Private, 

Corporal 
Bishop, Augustine, Private, 

Sergeant 
Bishop, Ellis, Private, Black- 
smith 
Blanchard, Fred'k, Private 
Borden, Dwight C, Private 
Brady, John, Private 
Bragaw, Townsend, Private 
Brooks, Thomas, Private 
Bruce, John, Private 
Burk, John, Private 
Burnes, Charles, Private 
Carney, John B., Private 
Clark, George, Private 
Clark, Henry, Private 
Clason, Monroe, Private 
Cook, Walker, Private 
Crawford, James N., Pri- 
vate, Sergeant 
Crocker, William, Private 
Davis, John, Private 
Dayton, Edward, Private 
DeWitt, Benjamin C, Pri- 
vate, Sergeant 
Duval, Francis, Priv., Corp. 
Edmonds, Samuel D., Priv. 
Finch, Edmund J., Private 



Mustered in 

27, '61 
27, '61 
28, '61 

17, '62 

27, '61 

27, '61 

7, '61 

19, '64 

27, '61 

1,'62 
1, '62 
27, '61 
27, '61 
given 
27, '61 

27, '61 

given 
given 
23, '64 
27, '61 

given 



Sept. 
Sept, 
Oct. 

Apr. 

Sept. 
Sept. 
Oct. 
Feb. 

Sept. 

Aug. 

Aug. 
Sept. 
Sept. 
Not 
Sept. 

Sept. 

Not 
Not 

Feb. 

Sept. 

Not 



Sept. 27, '61 
Sept. 27, '61 



Sept. 
Sept. 
Dec. 
Feb. 
Sept. 
Jan. 
Dec. 
Not 
Sept. 
Dec. 
Sept. 
Sept. 
Sept. 

Sept. 

Dec. 
Dec. 

Sept. 

Sept. 

Feb. 
Dec. 
Aug. 



27, '61 
27, '61 
29, '64 
22, '64 
27, '61 
3, '65 
31, '64 
given 
27, '61 
27, '64 
27, '61 
27, '61 
27, '61 

27, '61 

27,64 

27, '64 
27, '61 

27, '61 

25, '64 

30, '64 

5, '62 



Mustered out 

May 5, '64 
Oct. 11, '63 
Jan. 31, '62 

June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 

May 14, '65 
June 17, '65 

Dec. 6, '64 

Feb. 28, '63 
Dec. 26, '62 

Dec. 24, '62 



June 17, '65 
Oct. 11, '63 

Aug. 29, '64 
June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 

Dec. 18, '61 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
Oct. 29, '62 
Oct. 11, '62 

June 27, '65 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 

May 10, '64 

June 27, '65 
June 17, '65 
Jan. 18, '65 



Remarks 

Killed at Morton's Ford, Va. 

« 
* 

At New York city 

For disability 

For disability 

For disability 

Deserted Oct 12, '61 

For disability 

* 
Killed at Stevensburg, Va. 
Killed at Smithfield, Va. 



For disability 
For disability 



For disability 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
* 

For disability 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 



289 



Name and Ranks Held Mustered in Mustered out 

Fisher, Frederick T., Private Sept. 27, '61 Feb. 9, '63 

Fitzpatrick, Patrick, Private Jan. 4, '65 June 17, '65 

Fitzpatrick, Mark, Private Dec. 31, '64 

Fritz, Lucius P., Private Sept. 27, '61 Nov. 20, '62 

Furlough, Francis, Private Jan. 4, '65 June 17, '65 

Gahan, Phihp, Private Dec. 28, '64 June 17, '65 

Gibbs, Chas. W., Private Sept. 27, '61 

Gibbs, George L., Private Sept. 27, '61 

Graw, Louis, Private Jan. 4, '65 June 17, '65 

Griffen, Patrick, Private Dec. 5, '63 Mar. 31, '64 

Haley, Michael, Private Sept. 27, '61 Apr. 26, '63 

Harband, George, Private Jan. 9, '65 Mar. 3, '65 

Harris, Hugh, Private Sept. 27, '61 

Hays, Samuel H., Private July 22, '62 Apr. 24, '63 

Hendricks, Michael, Private Jan. 4, '65 

Herman, Chas., Private Dec. 24, '64 June 17, '65 

Hewitt, Julius, Private Sept. 27, '61 June 17, '65 

Hill, Charles, Private Sept. 27, '61 June 17, '65 

Hogan, Daniel, Private Sept. 27, '61 Dec. 9, '64 

Hollis, George W., Private Sept. 27, '61 Dec. 6, '61 

Hollis, Henry, Private Sept. 27, '61 Sept. 26, '64 

Hopper, Henry M., Private Sept. 27, '61 

Hussey, James, Private Sept. 27, '61 Aug. 9, '63 

Hutchinson, John, Private Dec. 22, '64 June 17, '65 

Hyatt, John, Private Sept. 27, '61 

Jacobi, Henry A., Private Dec. 17, '63 June 6, '65 

Kemp, William, Private, 1st r, . ^.t jci -nt i.t >r.o 

Sei^eant, 2d Lieutenant ^ept. 22, '61 Nov. 12, '63 

Kennedy, Robert, Private Sept. 27, '61 

Kennedy, Robert B., Private Nov. 30, '63 

Kiggins, John, Private Sept. 27, '61 

Laboy, Joseph, Private Dec. 30, '64 June 17, '65 

Lamont, Charles, Private Sept. 27, '61 Sept. 5, '62 

Laughran, Joseph, Private Dec. 17, '63 June 17, '65 

Lawler, John, Private Dec. 29, '64 June 17, '65 

Learey, James, Private Dec. 28, '64 June 17, '65 

Leducq, Antoine, Private Jan. 4, '65 June 17, '65 

Lee, James, Private Sept. 27, '61 June 2, '62 

Lee, John, Private Sept. 27, '61 June 17, '65 

La Munyan, Philip E., Priv. Sept. 27, '61 Nov. 27, '63 

Lewis, Milo, Private Dec. 4, '63 

Liberty, Joseph, Private Dec. 27, '64 

Lillie, Gilbert B., Private, o 4. ot j^i 

Sergeant Sept. 27, 61 

Linderholen, Jolm, Private Jan. 4, '65 June 17, '65 

Litchfield, Theodore, Private Feb. 23, '64 June 17, '65 

Loder, John, Private Sept. 27, '61 

Loper, Henry, Private Sept. 27, '61 June 17, '65 

Lorish, Lester H., Private Sept. 27, '61 

Lyon, Hiram, Private Oct. 24, '61 Dec. 6, '64 

Marr, Sylvester, Private Jan. 21, '64 April 6 '65 

Marvin, Charles, Private Sept. 27, '61 Dec. 18, '61 

Masten, Elon, Private Sept. 27, '61 Oct. 29, '62 

McCarthy, Michael, Private Jan. 11, '65 June 17, '65 
19 



Remarks 

For disability 

* 

Missing April, 1865 
For disability 



Missing April 12, '62 

Missing June 8, '62 
* 

Died at Washington 

For disability 

Dr'ned at Waynesboro, Va. 



Missing June 2, '65 



Died at Salisbury, N. C. 
For disability 



For disability 

Missing June 21, '63 
At Washington 



Missing April, 1864 



For disability 



For disability 

Transferred to Invalid Corps 

No further record 

Missing June 15, '65 



Missing March 2, '62 

At New York city 
Died while on furlough 

For disability 



290 



Name and Ranks Held 

McCone, William, Private 
McDermott, Lawrence, Pri- 
vate, Corporal 
McElvey, Alexander, Private 
McGinn, John, Private 
McLarry, Hugh, Private 
McLarry, William, Private, 

Farrier 
McLaughHn, Chas. S., Priv. 
McLaughhn, Wm. H., Priv. 
McNinch, Carlton, Private 
McOlotF, Jeremiah, Private 
Merrill, George, Private 
Miller, Erastus J., Private 
IMiller, Henry, Private 
Minnette, George, Private 
Mooray, Samuel, Private 
Moore, Alphonso P. , Private 
Moore, William H., Private 
Moorehouse, Ira H., Private 
Morley, John O., Private 
MuUer, Christopher, Private 
Murray, Henry, Private 
New, Richard, Private 
Nickson, Charles, Private 
Noble, John, Private 
Norris, Elijah H., Private 
Otto, Jacob E., Priv., Wag- 
oner, Corporal 
Parker, James W., Private 
Parks, George, Private 
Peck, Edward Q., Private, 

Corp. , Sergt. , 1st Lieut. 
Pedran, John, Private 
Perry, Asal, Private 
Perry, Daniel M., Private 
Pierce, Silas N., Priv., Corp., 
Sergt. , 1st Sergt., 1st Lieut. , 
Capt. 
Potter, Jerome, Private 
Qualthrough, John, Private 
Reardon, John F., Private 
Reed, Richard, Private 
Riley, John, Private 
Ringe, David, Private 
Roberts, John, Private 
Rous, William E. , Private 
Russell, John, Priv., Sergt. 
Ryder, Thomas, Sergeant, 2d 

Lieutenant 
Seib, Nicholas, Private 
Sherwood, David G., Private 
Smith, Cady, Private 
Smith, John, Private 



History 


of the 






Mustered in 


Mustered out 


Remarks 


Sept. 27, '61 


Dec. 19, 


'62 


For disability 


Sept. 27, '61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Mch.18, '65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Dec. 27, '64 


June 1 7, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27, '61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27, '61 


June 27, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Sept. 27, '61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 18, '64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 15, '62 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Not given 


Oct. 11, 


'63 


Killed at Stevensburg, Va. 


Sept. 27, '61 


Jan. 14, 


'64 


For disabihty 


Feb. 4, '62 


Apr. 30, 


'64 


At CulpeperC. H., Va. 


Jan. 4, '65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 2, '65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Not given 


Sept. 22, 


'62 


Died of wounds 


Sept. 27, '61 








Jan. 4, '65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 20, '64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Not given 


Sept. 28, 


'62 


Died of wounds 


Jan. 6, '65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Mch. 18, '65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27, '61 


Mar. 11, 


'62 


Died of disease 


Sept. 27, '61 


August, 1863 


Transferred to Invalid Corps 


Not given 


Feb. 8, 


'62 


For disability 


Not given 


Feb 24, 


'64 


Died in hospital 


Mch. 20, '62 


July 2, 


'63 


Killed near Rockville, Md. 


Sept. 27, '61 








Sept. 27, '61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27, '61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Dec. 29, '64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27, '61 


July 8, 


'65 


Died in Baltimore 


Sept. 27, '61 


Jan. 13, 


'65 


Died in Naples, N. Y. 


Sept. 27, '61 


June 29, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Not given 








Sept. 27, '61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Not given 


Apr. 1, 


'64 


For disability 


Dec. 31, '64 






Missing June 9, '65 


Dec. 26, '64 






Missing June 9, '65 


Sept. 27, '61 


Sept., 1863 


Transferred to Invalid Corps 


Dec. 30, '64 






Missing June 9, '65 


Sept. 3, '64 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Feb. 18, '64 


June 28, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Sept. 27, '61 








Sept. 27, '61 


Sept. 26, 


'64 


At Harper's Ferry, Va. 


Not given 


Nov. 27, 


'63 


Transferred to Invalid Corps 


July 19, '62 


June 12, 


'65 


At Washington 


Dec. 30, '64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 



291 



ate 



Name and Ranks Held 

Smyth, JohnQ., Private 
Snyder, John, Private 
Spike, Henry, Private 
Spike, James, Priv., Sergt. 
Spike, Perry, Priv., Sergt 
Sponable, David W., Priv 
Stancy, Alonzo, Private 
Stevenson, Horace, Private 
Teall, Philip, Private, 
Terry, John W., Private 
Tompkins, Geo. H., Private 
Thompson, David, Private 
Thompson, George, Private 
Todd, Samuel, Private 
Toohey, John, Private 
Tully, Thomas, Private 
Vandendiegne, Arche, Priv. 
Verner, William, Priv., Corp. 
"Wadsworth, Daniel B., Priv. 
Waite, Samuel C, Private, 

Corporal 
Walsh, John, Private 
Walsh, Patrick W. F., Priv. 
Warren, Chas., Private 
Waterman, Nathan, Private 
Welsh, John, Private 
Wetmore, John, Private 
Wilson, Harvey, Private 
Wilson, William, Private 
Wisport, Adolph, Private 
Wood, Albert, Private 
Wood, James F. , Priv. , Corp. 
Woodhouse, Frank, Private 
Woods, John, Private 
Zacharie, Carlos, Private 



Total number of men in company, 173. 
Total number of men commissioned, 4. 



Mustered in 


Mustered out 


Remarks 


Dec. 30, '64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 16, '64 


June 5, 


'65 


At Elmira, N. Y. 


Sept. 27, '61 


Oct. 29, 


'62 


For disability 


Sept. 27, '61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27. '61 


June 27, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Sept. 27, '61 


Oct. 11, 


'63 


Killed at Stevensburg, Va. 


Mar. 7, '62 


June 30, 


'62 


For disability 


Nov. 28, '63 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27, '61 








Sept. 27, '61 


Sept. 27, 


'62 


At Elmira, N. Y. 


Not given 


Nov. 27, 


'63 


Transferred to Invalid Corps 


Not given 


Apr. 30, 


'63 


Died of wounds 


Dec. '31, '64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27, '61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Mar. 18, '65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27, '61 








Dec. 27, '64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Dec. 16, '63 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


July 25, '62 


Oct. 29, 


'62 


For disability 


Sept. 27, '61 








Jan. 6, '65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 3, '65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Feb. 24, '64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27, '61 








Jan. 3, '65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27, '61 


June 16, 


'62 


For disability 


Sept. 27, '61 








Sept. 27, '61 






Missing May 11, '62 


Jan. 6, '65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Feb. 25, '64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 27, '61 


Dec. 16, 


'61 


For disability 


Sept. 27, '61 


Dec, 1861 




Dec. 28, '64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 4, '65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 



Lyon, Henry W^., Captain 
Wales, Philip R., 1st Lieu- 
tenant, Captain 
Wright, Raymond L., 2d 

Lieut., 1st Lieut., Capt. 
Ashton, Maurice, Private 
Avery, Henry, Private 
Bandfield, Michael, Private 
Bannon, Edward, Private 
Barden, Peter, Private 
Barrett, Frederick, Private 
Becker, George, Private 



Company D. 

Sept. 19, '61 Oct. 9, '62 
Sept. 7, '61 Oct. 8, '64 



Sept. 28, '61 

Nov. 26, '62 
Nov. 24, '62 
Sept. 28, '61 
Sept. 28, '61 
Aug. 31, '64 
Aug. 30, '64 
Sept. 13, '64 



Sept. 19, '64 

June 17, '65 
Aug. 14, '63 
Jan. 8, '64 
Apr. 11, '62 
June 5, '65 
June 5, '65 
June 5, '65 



Resigned 



Killed at Winchester, Va. 

For disability 

For disability 

Died at Old Point Comfort 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



292 



History of the 



Name and Ranks Held 

Blanck, John, Private 
Boudreau, Andrew, Private 
Bradley, Peter, Corp. , Sergt. 
Brower, Charles, Private 
Brown, Henry A., Private 
Buck, Andrew, Private 
Buesco, Charles, Private 
Bush, John, Private 
Bush, Levi, Corp., Sergt., 1st 

Sergt. 
Call, George, Private 
Carroll, John C, Sergeant, 

2d Lieutenant 
Casey, Alvin W., Corporal 
Chadderdon, Philo D., Priv., 

Corp., Sergt., 1st Sergt. 
Cherry, Charles, Priv. , Corp., 

Sergeant 

Church, Joseph, Private 

Clark, Andrew, Bugler 
Cone, Daniel O., Private 
Conway, John, Private 
Cook, James, Corporal 
Cross, Lewis, Private 
Crutch, John C, Private 
Cutler, Samuel, Private 
Davis, Jeremiah, Private 
Davoun, Lucius, Private 
De Kirk, Percy, Private 
Delair, John, Private 
Dellare, George, Priv. , Corp. 
Dennison, Henry, Private 
Diegan, Christopher, Private 
Donaldson, Michael, Private 
Doyle, John, Private 
Duffy, James, Private 
Dwyer, Patrick, Private 
Early, John, Private 
Face, William H., Private 
Fee, Stephen, Private 
Finn, James, Private 
Flanagan, James, Private 
Fosbrook, Fred'k, Private 
Gannon, Thos., Private 
Gill, Robert, Private 
Gould, ElleryC, Priv., Sad' Ir 
Grenier, John, Private 
Hall, John, Private 
Hanschen, John, Private 
Hardendorf, Adam, Private 
Hardendorf, Jacob, Private 
Harriman, Benj. F., Private 
Hawver, John W., Private 



Mustered in Mustered out 



Sept. 13, '64 
Nov. 13, '62 
Sept. 28, '61 
Sept. 28, '61 
Sept. 28, '61 
Nov. 22, '62 
Sept. 28, '61 
Aug. 24, '64 

Sept. 28, '61 

Sept. 28, '61 

Sept. 28, '61 

Sept. 7, '61 

Sept. 7, '61 



June 5, '65 
May 15, '65 
May 7, '65 
Nov. 1, '63 
June 25, '62 
Oct. 11, '63 
July 2, '63 
June 5, '65 

June 27, '65 

June 15, '65 

Jan. 20, '65 

June 2, '62 

June 23, '64 



Remarks 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
At New York 

Transfer' d to InvaUd Corps 

For disability 

Killed at Stevensburg, Va. 

Killed at Gettsyburg, Pa. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 

Died of wounds 

For disability 

Died of wounds 



Sept. 7, '61 Dec. 28, '64 Died at Salisbury, N. C. 
Sept. 28, '61 

Dec. 1, '62 June 17, '65 

Aug. 24, '64 June 5, '65 

Sept. 19, '61 June 17, '65 

Sept. 7, '61 Sept. 9, '63 

Not given Sept. 15, '65 

Nov. 12, '62 June 23, '64 

Oct. 17, '61 Nov. 23, '64 

Feb. 24, '64 June 26, '65 

Not given June 23, '62 
Jan. 26, '63 

Aug. 30, '64 June 24, '65 

Sept. 28, '61 June 27, '65 

Sept. 28, '61 June 16, '62 

Aug. 30, '64 June 5, '65 

Not given 

Sept. 19, '61 Feb. 1,'65 

Sept. 28, '61 Aug. 24, '84 

Sept. 28, '61 Aug. 29, '62 

Not given Jan. 30, '62 

Sept. 12, '64 June 5, '65 

Sept. 28, '61 Nov. 23, '64 

Sept. 28, '61 June 17, '65 
Nov. 22, '62 

Oct. 11, '64 Jan. 17, '65 

Dec. 11, '62 July 2, '63 
Sept. 28, '61 

Sept. 28, Hil June 27, '65 

Sept. 20, '64 June 5, '65 
Sept. 28, '61 

Sept. 28, '61 July 17, '62 

Sept. 28, '61 Jan. 13, '63 

Sept. 28, '61 Aug. 16, '64 

Aug. 3], '64 June 5, '65 

Aug. 31, '64 June 5, '65 



Captured June 21, '64; no 

further record 

* 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

* 

Transfe'd to Vet. Res. Corps 

Died of disease 

Died at Washington 

At Washington 

For disability 
Claimed as a deserter 

At hospital 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

No further record 

For disability 

For disability 

For disability 

For disability 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Kernstown, Va. 

* 

No further record 

For promotion 

Killed at Gettysburg, Pa. 

Captured ; no further record 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 

For disability 

Killed at Crooked Run, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 



293 



Xame and Ranks Held 

Head, Delos, Private 
Head, Jerome, Private 
Head, John A., Private 
Hodgman, Wm., Private 
Hoffman, Andrew, Private 
Holmes, Edward, Saddler, 

Saddler Sergeant 
Howard, Cornelius, Private 
Howlitt, Charles, Corporal 

Sergeant 
Hubbard, Adolphus C. ,Priv. , 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Hubbard, Augustus, Farrier, 

Blacksmith 
Hubbard, Jesse, Private, 

Sergeant 
Hyson, John, Private 
Irish, John, Private 
Kennelly, David AV., Private 
Lahommadien, George, Priv. 
Lansing, Edgar, Private 
Lansing, James, Corporal 
Lee, Bassett, Blacksmith, 
Le^May, Napoleon, Private 
Leon, Edwin, Private 
Libby, George, Private 
Long, Nicholas, Private 
Loomis, Francis, Private 
Mallick, Michael, Priv. ,Corp. 
:Malone, John K., 1st Sergt., 

2d Lieut. , 1st Lieut. , Capt. 
Mathews, Solomon, Private 
McCauley, Thos., Private 
McCormick, John, Private, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
McCormick, James, Private 
McDonald, Peter, Priv. ,Corp. 
McEnroe, Patrick H., Priv., 

Sergeant 
jNIcGill, David, Private, 
McOmber, John D., Private 
Meaher, Thos., Private, 
Mehare, Patrick, Private 
Metcalf, Clark, Private 
Moore, James H., Private, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Moran, Ambrose, Private, 

Blacksmith 
Moyer, Norman, Private 
Nash, Herman, Private 
Neal, William, Private 
Oakes, Russell, Private 
Oliver, John H., Bugler 
Palmer, George A., Private 



Mustered in 

Sept. 12, '6-1 
Sept. 12, '64 
Sept. 12, '64 
Sept. 28, '61 
Sept. 28, '61 

Sept. 7, '61 

Oct. 11, '64 

Sept. 28, '61 

Sept. 7, '61 
Sept. 7, '61 

Sept. 28, '61 

Not given 
Not given 
Aug. 26, '64 
Sept. 28, '61 
Sept. 28, '61 
Sept. 7, '61 
Sept. 14, '61 
Aug. 30, '64 
Sept. 28, '61 
Dec. 26, '62 
Sept. 28, '61 
Nov. 25, '62 
Sept. 28, '61 

Sept. 7, '61 ' 

Sept. 28, '61 
Sept. 28, '61 

Sept. 28, '61 

Not given 
Sept. 28, '61 

Nov. 14, '62 

Sept. 28, '61 
Aug. 24, '64 
Nov. 24, '61 
Not given 
Dec. 10, '62 

Dec. 16, '63 

Sept. 28, '61 

Sept. 12, '64 
Sept. 28, '61 
Sept. 12, '64 
Sept. 12, '64 
Sept. 7, '61 
Sept. 12, '64 



Mustered out 

June 5, '65 
June 5, '65 
June 5, '65 
Nov. 23, '64 



Jan. 8, '64 
June 17, '65 
Apr. 10, '63 

May 14, '65 

Nov. 7, '65 

June 17, '65 

July 30, '62 
June 17, '65 
Feb. 3, '65 

Apr. 18, '62 
Feb. 3, '62 
June 17, '65 
June 5, '65 
Feb. 20, '63 
Sept. 1, '63 
Sept. 21, '64 
Nov. 1, '63 
Sept. 5, '64 

June 17, '65 

Sept. 28, '62 



Oct. 20, '64 

June 27, '65 

May 12, '62 
June 5, '65 

Apr. 21, '63 
June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 
July 3, '65 

June 5, '65 

June 5, '65 

Feb. 8, '63 

June 5, '65 



Remarks 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Kernstown, Va. 

X- 

For disability 



For disability 
At New York city 

For disability 

* 

Transfer' d to 18th Cavalry 

* 

Died at Lovettsville, Va. 

For disability 

For disability 

* 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disaljility 

Transfer' d to Invalid Corps 

At Harper's Ferry, Va. 
Transfer' d to Invalid Corps 
Died at Andersonville, Ga. 

Died of wounds 
Missing Oct. 15, '62 

Missing July, 1862 

Missing June, 1862 
Killed 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 



For disability 
Discharged as a minor 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Died in hospital 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



294 



History of the 



Name and Ranks Held 

Parker, Edgar, Private 
Parmelee, Uriah N., Private, 

Corporal 
Peck, Charles, Wagoner 
Persons, Wm. H., Private 
Pickens, Harvey N., Private 
Porter, John, Private 
Potter, Adin H. , Private 
Prescott, Jules, Private 
Prescott, Peter, Private 
Richards, Joseph, Private 
Riley, William, Private 
Russell, Amos E., Private, 

Corporal 
Sanders, M. L., Private 
Searles, Henry, Private 
Shellman, Clark, Private 
Shellman, LewisA., Private, 
Sherman, Eddy, Sergeant 
Simpson, Henry, Private 
Sinnott, WiUiam, Private, 

Corporal 
Sitts, George D., Private 
Smith, David, Private 
Smith, Tompkins, Private 
Smith, William, Priv.,Sergt., 

1st Sergeant 
Snyder, Henry, Private 
Southwick, Jonathan, Sergt. 
Stearns, Alvin, Priv., Corp. 
Stewart, Chas. L., Private 
Stickney, Julius, Priv. , Corp. 
Stone, John, Private 
Suits, Jerome, Private 
Taber, Gilbert, Priv., Corp. 
Thompson, Levi B., Private 
Tilley, John, Private 
Trueman, George, Private 
Turnbull, Wm., Sergeant 
Van Houten, JohnR., Priv. 
Van Volkenburgh, Ceylon, 

Private 
Varee, George H., Private 
Walker, Matthew, Private, 

Corporal 
Warren, Chas. H., Private, 

Corporal 
Wenninger, Eilat, Private 
Wheeler, Jerome B., Corp., 
Sergt., 2d Lieut., 1st 
Lieut., Captain 
Wilkinson, Wm., Private 
Williams, John H., Private, 
Corporal 



Remarks 



Mustered in Mustered out 
Sept. 28, '61 
Sept. 28, '61 Mch. 16, '64 Commissioned other reg't 



Sept. 19, '61 
Nov. 1, '61 
Sept. 13, '64 
Dec. 22, '62 
Sept. 28, '61 
Sept. 28, '61 
July 1, '62 
Oct. 29, '61 
Sept. 7, '64 

Sept. 28, '61 

Not given 
Sept. 28, '61 
Sept. 12, '64 
Sept. 12, '64 
Sept. 7, '61 
Sept. 28, '61 

Sept. 28, '61 

Sept. 20, '64 
Sept. 28, '61 
Sept. 12, '64 



Nov. 16, '63 
June 18, '65 
Feb. 19 '63 
June 5, '65 
Feb. 26, '63 
June 5, '65 
Oct. 11, '64 
June 5, '65 

June 17, '65 

Jan. 22, '63 
Mch. 4, '62 
June 5, '65 
Feb. 21, '65 

July 25, '62 

June 17, '65 

June 5, '65 
June 30, '65 
June 5, '65 



Sept. 28, '61 June 17, '65 



28, '61 
7, '61 
28, '61 
17, '62 
25, '62 
30, '64 
12, '64 
28, '61 
12, '64 
28, '61 
15, '62 
28, '61 
8, '64 

Sept. 13, '64 

Sept. 13, '64 

Sept. 28, '61 



Sept. 
Sept. 
Sept. 
Nov. 
Nov. 
Aug. 
Sept. 
Sept. 
Sept. 
Sept. 
Nov. 
Sept. 
Oct. 



Nov. 25, '62 
June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 
June 5, '65 
June 5, '65 
June 27, '65 
June 5, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 29, '65 
Aug. 2, '62 
June 17, '65 



June 5, '65 



Jan. 25, '63 June 6, '65 

Dec. 12, '62 Nov. 1, '63 

Sept. 7, '61 June 17, '65 

Dec. 16, '61 

Sept. 28, '61 June 17, '65 



Missing July 3, '62 

Died of disease 

At Philadelphia 

For disability 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Falmouth, Va. 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Died of wounds 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



For disability 

Died of disease 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Died of wounds 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Annapolis, Md. 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



For disability 

Missing May, 1863 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
* 

For disability 

Died in hospital 

* 

Missing June 5, '65 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
Missing March, 1865 

Transfer 'd to Invalid Corps 
* 

Missing July 21, '62 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 

Name and Ranks Held Mustered in INIustered out 

Wilson, Frederick, Private, g ^ 28, '61 Mch. 20, '63 

Corporal 

Winslow, Josiah, Private, Nov. 26, '62 Aug. 7, '63 

To^nnstGr 

Withey, Alexander, Private Sept. 12, '64 June 5, '65 

Wolf, John, Private Oct. 11, '61 June 1/. 65 

Total number of men in company, 148. 
Total number of men commissioned, 4. 



295 



Remarks 

For disability 

For disability 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



Beardsley, Wm. E., Captain, 

Major 
Edwards, Wm., 1st Lieut., 

Captain 
Cooper, John G., 2d Lieut. 
De Vries, Nomdo, 2d Lieut. 
Albridge, Andrew, Private 
Allen, Jacob, Private 
Allen, John, Private 
Allen, Merrill, Private 
Althouse, Ulrich, Private 
Anderson, Wm., Private 
Anderson, Wm. J . , Corporal, 

Sergeant 
Bates, Samuel, Private 
Beacon, John, Priv., Corp. 
Beardsley, Wm. P., Saddler, 

Sad. Sergeant 
Beaumont, John, Private 
Blachly, Geo. E., Corporal 
Blaker, George, Private 
Blow, David, Private 
Bradley, James, Private 
Bradley, Joseph, Private 
Bi-anch, John, Private 
Brittan, Wm. J., Private 
Brown, Geo. W., Private 
Buckley, Henry, Private 
Burke, Frank, Private 
Byrnes, Felix, Private 
Cambell, Thos., Private 
Campbell, Alfred, Private 
Carroll, Thos., Corporal 
Carter, Judson, Private 
Cavanaugh, Martin, Private 
Clum, David, Priv., Corp. 
Coates, William, Private 
Corham, James, Private 
Cortelyou, David H., Corp., 
Sergt., Sergt. Major, 1st 
Lieut., Captain 
Cortes, Gillermo, Private 



Company E. 

Oct. 10, '61 Oct. 21, '64 



Sept. 24, '62 
June 17, '65 



Oct. 3, '61 

Oct. 3, '61 
Feb. 15, '65 

Not given 
Jan. 2, '65 

Not given 
Oct. 3, '61 
Jan. 11, '65 
Dec. 16, '63 

Sept. 3, '61 

Oct. 7, '61 
Oct. 3, '61 

Oct. 15, '61 Nov. 1, '62 



Oct. 21, '64 Per G. 0. 75, A. G. O. 

* 
Missing January 18, 1865 



June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 
June 5, '65 

June 17, '65 

Nov. 29, '64 



Not 
Oct. 
Jan. 
July 
Oct. 
Not 
Oct. 
Aug. 
Oct. 
Not 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Dec. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 



given 
3, '61 
14, '64 

7, '63 
3, '61 

given 
12, '61 

2, '64 
31, '61 
given 

3, '61 
12, '61 

3, '61 
3, '61 
3, '61 
3, '61 

8, '64 
12, '61 

3, '61 
3, '61 



July 6, '63 
Oct. 13, '64 
Jan. 10, ;65 
June 17, '65 



Feb. 6, '62 

June 17, '65 
Nov. 1, '64 
Feb. 6, '62 



June 28, '65 
July 27, '63 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
Oct. IS, '64 



Oct. 3, '61 Mar. 16, '65 
Jan. 3, '65 



Missing March, 1863 
* 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
■* 

Died at Albany, N. Y. 



Killed at Williamsport, Md. 
At Harper's Ferry, Va. 



For disability 
Missing September 19, 1864 

» 

Died at Andersonville, Ga. 
For disability 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
Died from wounds 



At Harper's Ferry, Va. 
No further record 



Missing February 24, 1865 



296 



History of the 



Name and Ranks Held 

Coverdale, Wm., Private 
Cozine, Hiram B., Sergeant 
Crommell, Elias, Private 
Coummie, George, Private 
Darling, Samuel, Private 
Davis, David, Private 
Davis, Edward, Private 
Davis, Edward C, Private 

Drew, Samuel, Private 

Edwards, Thos. F., Private 
Faist, Leopold, Private 
Farley, Adolphus W., Sergt. 
Farley, Thos., Priv., Corp. 
Farrell, Patrick, Private 
Farror, Julius, Private 
Felt, Henry C, Private 
Finch, Dimnian, Private, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Forgerson, James, Private 
Frazier, Samuel, Private 
Fryer, Richard R., Private, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Garr, David, Private 
Gerber, Joseph, Private 
Gidion, Henry, Private, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Grandee, Thos. M., Private 
Gravener, Chas. A., Private 
Hagebrick, Julius, Private 
Hagerty, John, Private 
Halstead, Abram F., Private 
Hamilton, West J., Sergeant 
Henderson, Joseph, Private 
Henion, Jacob, Private 
Hobbs, Martin, Private 
Holzack, Peter, Private 
Horton, Andrew, Private, 

Corp., Sergt., 1st Sergt. 
Horton, Riley E., Private, 

Corp., Sergt., 1st Sergt., 

1st Lieut., Quar. Mast. 
Hull, Wm. C, Private 
Hunter, Jas. D., Private 
Inman, Azra A., Private 
Jones, John, Private 
King, Charles, Private 
Klive, George, Private 
Kormer, Henry, Private 
Landstrom, John, Private 
Lee, John, Private 
Lewis, Morgan D., Private, 

Corp., Sergt., 1st Lieut. 

and Adjutant 



Mustered in 

Jan. 9, '65 
Oct. 3, '61 
Not given 
Not given 
Dec. 17, '64 
Dec. 30, '64 
Jan. 15, '64 
Oct. 3, '61 



Mustered out 

June 17, '65 
Oct. 2, '64 



June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
Mar. 28, '64 
June 17, '65 

Dec. 16, '63 Feb. 8, '65 

Oct. 3, '61 

Jan. 7, '65 

Oct. 3, '61 

Oct. 3, '61 

Oct. 3, '61 

Oct. 3, '61 



Oct. 3, '61 

Cct. 12, '61 

Oct. 3, '61 
Dec. 29, '64 

Oct. 3, '61 

Jan. 5, '65 
Dec. 28, '64 

July 24, '62 

Oct. 3, '61 
Oct. 3, '61 
Dec. 28, '64 
Oct. 12, '61 
Oct. 3, '61 
Oct. 3, '61 
Jan. 19, '64 
Jan. 23, '64 
Jan. 5, '65 
Dec. 28, '64 



June 17, '65 
Oct. 13, '64 
Nov. 17, '64 
Oct. 13, '64 

June 17, '65 
June 28, '65 

June 17, '65 

June 28, '65 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 

June 5, '65 

June 17, '65 
Nov. 1, '61 



June 11 



'65 



June 17, '65 
Aug. 20, '64 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 



Oct. 3, '61 June 17, '65 
Oct. 3, '61 June 17, '65 



Jan. 9, '65 
Oct. 3, '61 
Sept. 2, '64 
Sept. 23, '64 
Dec. 26, '64 
Jan. 5, '65 
Dec. 28, '64 
Dec. 28, '64 
Not given 



June 17, '65 
June 20, '62 
June 5, '65 
Nov. 6, '64 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 



Remarks 

At New York city j| 

* 
* 

Per S. 0. 129, War Dept. 

Transferred to Vet. Res. 

Corps 

Missing September 16, 1862 
* 

At Harper's Ferry, Va. 

Died at Andersonville, Ga. 

At Harper's Ferry, Va. 

* 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

* 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

* 
* 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

» 

Transferred to other regt. 

Missing March 7, 1865 
* 

Missing May 15, 1863 
* 

For disabihty 



At Washington' 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Died at Andersonville, Ga. 



Missing March, 1865 
Missing April 1, 1865 



Oct. 3, '61 June 17, '65 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 



297 



Name and Ranks Held 

Lloyd, James, Corporal 
Long, Nathan D., Private 
Maloy, Dennis, Corporal 
Mason, Richard, 1st Sergt. 
McBride, James, Private 
McChure, Donnie, Private 
McClarey, George, Sergeant, 

Sergt. Major 
McDermott, Thos., Private 
McDonald, John, Private 
McGloin, Felix, Private 
Mclntire, Roswell E., Priv. 
McKee, AVilliam, Farrier, 

Veterinary Surgeon 
McXamara, Q. M. F., Private 
]Mehan, Chas., Private 
Miller, James, Private, Cor- 
poral, Sergeant 
Moat, Charles, Corp., Sergt. 
Mullen, John, Private 
Mullett, John, Private 
Nettles, Robert, Private 
Nevills, Thomas, Bugler 
O'Neill, James, Priv., Corp. 
Peake, Giles P., Sergeant 
Penery, Arthur, Private 
Perkins, Samuel, Private 
Peter, Charles, Private 
Phelps, Edward H., Farrier 

and Blacksmith 
Phillips, Joseph, Private 
Polaskie, Edward, Private 
Pullen, Henry, Private 
Ramsey, John F., Sergt., 2d 

Lieut., 1st Lieut. 
Rice, John, Priv., Sergt. 
Rifenburg, Jarvis, Private 
Ryder, Anthony, Private 
Ryder, Walter, Private 
Schlicker, Jacob, Private 
Schultz, Augustus, Private 
Sheehan, James, Private 
Sherman, Henry, Private 
Simmonds, Walter, Private 
Slater, Thomas, Priv., Corp. 
Slingerland, Isaac, Private 
Smallin, Isaac W., Private 
Smith, Caleb C, Private 
Smith, Gilbert, Priv., Sergt. 
Smith, Robert, Priv., Corp. 
Stalker, Alonzo, Private 
Stearns, Charles, Private 
Steinmann, Lucius, Private 
Stolz, Charles, Private 



Mustered 


in 


Mustered out 


Oct. 3, 


'61 






Oct. 3, 


'61 






Oct. 3, 


'61 






Oct. 3, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Oct. 12, 


'61 






Oct. 10, 


'61 






Oct. 3, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Oct. 3, 


'61 


June 3, 


'63 


Oct. 12, 


'61 


June 14, 


'65 


Oct. 3, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Not given 


Apr. 1, 


'65 


Oct. 3, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Sept. 3, 


'61 


Oct. 3, 


'64 


Jan. 9, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


Oct. 3, 


'61 


Apr. 30, 


'63 


Not given 


Sept. 12, 


'64 


Oct. 12, 


'61 






Dec. 29, 


'64 






Oct. 3, 


'61 


Jan. 16, 


'64 


Oct. 3, 


'61 






Oct. 3, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 30, 


'63 


June 28, 


'65 


Oct. 3, 


'61 






Not giv 


en 






Dec. 27, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


Oct. 3, 


'61 






Dec. 19, 


'64 


Jan. 15, 


'65 


Oct. 3, 


'61 






Sept. 6, 


'64 


June 8, 


'65 


Oct. 3, 


'61 


Dec. 15, 


'63 


Oct. 3, 


'61 


Sept. 29, 


'64 


Sept. 2, 


'64 


June 8, 


'65 


Sept. 12, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Oct. 3, 


'61 


Sept. 15, 


'64 


Jan. 3, 


'65 


May 6, 


'65 


Oct. 3, 


'61 






Dec. 29, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


Jan. 4, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


Not given 






Not given 






Feb. 3, 


'64 


Sept. 15, 


'64 


Not given 


June 17, 


'65 


Aug. 24, 


'64 


June 5, 


'65 


Oct. 3, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Oct. 3, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Oct. 12, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Dec. 5, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


Dec. 28, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


Dec. 28, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 



Remarks 



Missing July 5, 1862 



Transferred to Invalid Corps 

At Annapolis, Md. 

* 

Killt-d at Five Forks, Va. 



At Harper's Ferry, Va. 

* 

Killed at Spottsylvania C.H. 
Died of wounds 

INIissing May 1, 1865 
For disability 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



Missing May 8, 1864 

Died at Andersonville, Ga. 

Transferred to Invalid Corps 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Died at Andersonville, Ga. 

For disability 
Missing February 8, 1864 



Transferred to Navy 

Died of disease 

* 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



298 



History of the 



Name and Ranks Held 

Sullivan, James, Private 
Swarts, William, Private 
Taylor, \Vm. A., Corporal, 

Sergeant 
Thompson, Chas., Private, 

Corporal 
Thompson, Wm., Private, 
Tryon, Chas. E., Private 
Valentine, John, Bugler 
VanPatten, C. J. V. B., Wag- 
oner 
Wagner, Daniel, Private 
Walder, William, Private 
Walton, William, Private 
Walmsley, Chas., Private 
Ward, Asa R., Priv., Saddler 
Ward, Close, Private 
Watson, Wm. H., Private 
Watson, Wm. H,, Private 
AVeber, Fred'k, Private 
AVebster, AA'^m., Private 
A\''eller, Hiram, Priv., Sergt. 
AVight, Charles, Private, 

Corporal 
AVinslow, Joseph, Private, 

Farrier 
AVolf, Carll S., Private 
AA'olf, Michael, Private 
Wood, Asa P., Corporal 
AVood, Jason, Private 
Wormuth, Nouman, Private 
York, Edson D., Private 
York, Horace J., Private 



ISIustered in 


Mustered out 


Remarks 


Not g\\ 


'en 








Jan. 3, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 12, 


'61 


June 28, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, A^a. 


Jan. 24, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 5, 


'65 






Missing May 1, 1865 


Oct. 12 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 12, 


'61 


Oct. 13, 


'64 


At Harper's Ferry, Va. 


Oct. 3, 


'61 






Missing July 9, 1863 


Dec. 29, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Dec. 31, 


'64 


June 16, 


'65 


For disability 


Dec. 31, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Dec. 5, 


'63 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 3 


'61 


June 28, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, A'a. 


Oct. 31 


'61 


Oct. 13, 


'64 


At Harper's Ferry, A^a. 


Oct. 3, 


'61 


Oct. 25, 


'62 


For disability 


Jan. 25, 


'64 


Sept. 25, 


'64 


Died at Millen, Ga. 


Dec. 30, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 9 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 5, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 13, 


'61 


July 17, 


'64 


Died of wounds 


Oct. 13 


'61 


June 28, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, \'a. 


Jan. 3, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Dec. 27 


'64 






Missing April 15, 1865 


Oct. 13, 


'61 


Oct. 13, 


'64 


At Harper's Ferry, Va. 


Feb. 26 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 13 


'61 






N further record 


Oct. 3 


'61 


Not given 


For disability 


Oct. 3 


'61 


June 29, 


'62 


Died in Virginia 



Total number of men in company, 154. 
Total number of men commissioned, 4. 



Carwardine, John, Captain, 

Major 
Hannahs, Diodate C, 1st 

Lieut., Captain 
Crozier, Robert, 2d Lieut., 

1st Lieut. 
Alvison, Caleb, Private 
Amidon, Chas. R., Private 
Anthony, Michael, Private 
Austin, Aaron, Private 
Bachart, Conrad, Private 
Bahlen, Anthony, Private 
Baird, William, Priv., Corp. 
Baker, Joseph, Private 



Company F. 

Oct. 24, '61 Mar. 21, '63 



Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 
Sept. 14, '64 
Oct. 29, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 
Not given 
Not given 



Sept. 10, '62 

May 7, '63 

Apr. 24, '62 
June 5, '65 

Mch. 12, '63 
July 15, '62 

June 17, '65 



Died from wounds 

Killed at West Point, Va. 

Died in hospital 

At Cloud's Mill, A^a. 

Missing October 31, 1864 

For disability 
At Harrison's Landing 

* 
Missing June, 1864 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 



299 



Name and Ranks Held 



Barry, John, Private 
Bennett, Milton, Private, 

Corporal 
Bennett, Sylvester H., Priv. 
Berncheins, Louis, Private 
Blazdell, Wesley, Private 
Bouchet, Pierre, Private 
Bousclair, Triffler, Private 
Broadbent, Thos., Private 
Brotherson, Augustus, Pri- 
vate, Corporal 
Brown, Daniel W., Private 
Burd, William, Private 
Byron, John, Private 
Carr, Thomas, Private 
Carson, Henry, Sergeant, 

Corporal 
Chilson, James B., Private, 
Corporal, Sergeant, 1st 
Sergeant, 1st Lieutenant 
Clark, Joel J., Priv., Corpl. 
Clear, James, Sergeant 
Collins, John, Private 
Councilman, Chas. R., Priv. 
Crane, Wm.E., Sergeant, 1st 
Sergeant 

Cromsie, John, Private 

Cross, Curtis B., Private 
Cull, John, Private 
Cunningham, Patrick, Priv. 
Curran, Andrew, Private 
Curran, Peter, Private, Cor- 
poral, Sergt., IstSergt. 
Davidson, Solomon H., Priv. 

Davis, Archy J., Private 

Davis, John H., Private 
Deerberg, William, Private 
Delamater, John, Private, 

Blacksmith 
Deona, Joseph, Private 
Devine, John, Private 
Dix, John L., Private 
Docharty, John, Private 
Donaldson, John, Corporal, 

Private 
Dooland, John, Private 
Dougherty, Patrick, Private 
Downey, John, Private 
Dunn, Bernard, Private 
Durfee, Thomas, Private 
Dutys, Frederick, Private 
Dyer, Patrick, Private 



Mustered in 

Dec. 28, '64 

Not given 

Feb. 11, '64 
Jan. 2, '65 
Oct. 24, '61 
Jan. 11, '65 
Dec. 30, '64 
Dec. 31, '64 

Dec. 11, '61 

Jan. 4, '65 
Not given 
Not given 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 29, '61 

Oct. 22, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 
Dec. 26, '64 
Dec. 27, '64 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 

Sept. 21, '64 
Feb. 11, '64 
Feb. 8, '64 
Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 
Dec. 29, '64 

Oct. 24, '61 

Dec. 23, '64 

Mch.15, '64 

Not given 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 
Dec. 22, '64 
Oct. 5, '61 
Apr. 18, '64 
Jan. 4, '65 
Feb. 15, '64 



Mustered out 



Remarks 



June 17, '65 * 

June 11, '64 Missing at Trevilians Station 

June 18, '65 At Philadelphia 

June 17, '65 * 



June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 

Dec. 19, '64 

June 17, '65 
Sept. 4, '64 
June 17, '65 
May 7, '64 

June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 
Oct. 24, '04 

Apr. 10, '64 

.June 5, '65 
June 17, '65 
April, 1864 

June 17, '65 

June 2, '62 

.Tan. 1, '65 

Dec. 19, '61 
June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
Nov. 4, '64 



At Varina, Va. 

* 

Wounded in action ; n. f . r. 
* 

Killed at Todd's Tavern, Va. 



Missing May 28, 1865 
* 

At Harper's Ferry, Va. 

Transferred to Vet. Res. 
Corps 

* 
Transferred to Navy 



For disability 
Transferred to Vet. Res. 
Corps 



At New York city 



May 7, '64 Killed at Todd's Tavern, Va. 

Nov. 4, '64 Died at Anderson ville, Ga. 

Sept. 11, '62 For disabihty 

June 17, '65 * 



June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 8, '65 



At Petersburg, Va. 



300 



History of the 



Name and Ranks Held 

Eberhart, Christoff, Private 
Edwards, Chas. N., Private 
Edwards, Albert P., Private 
Erckman, Wm. H., Private 
Farnham, Frederick B., Priv. 
Farnschield, Frederick, Priv. 
Foster, Alonzo, Corp., Sergt. 
Foster, Franklin, Private 
Galvin, Patrick, Farrier 
Gardner, George, Private 
Garrison, Henry, Sergeant, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Gillen, Peter J., Private 
Grace, Robert, Private, Sad- 
dler, Regt. Sad. Sergt. 
Grant, Randall, Corporal, 
Sergeant, 1st Sergeant, 1st 
Lieutenant, Captain 
Griffin, Daniel, Private 
Halenback, "Wm. H., Private 
Halsey, Samuel M., Sergeant, 

Private 
Hamilton, Chadius H., Priv. 
Hannigan, Dennis, Private 
Harvey, John, Private 
Hastings, Stephen A., Priv. 
Hecker, Charles, Private 
Hetherington, Frank, Cor- 
poral, Private 
Hetherington, Oscar, Corp. 
Heyssam, David, Private 
Higle, James, Private 
Hill, James W., Corp., Priv. 
Holsberg, Martin, Private 
Hope, George F., Private 
Howland, Myron, Corporal, 

Private 
Hughes, Henry, Private 
Jackson, Chas., Priv., Corpl. 
Karcher, Michael, Private 
Kean, Michael, Private 
King, George L. , Private 
King, Nathan M., Private 
Kromearnett, Ernest, Priv. 
Langs, Wesley, Private, Cor- 
poral, Sergeant 
Lason, Benj. F., Private 
Leslie, Robert, Private, Wag- 
oner 
Lewis, John, Private 

Linnel, Jas. L., Private 

Loper, Oliver L., Private 
Lyden, John, Private, Cor- 
poral, Sergeant 



Mustered in 

Oct. 24, '61 

Not given 
Not given 
Oct. 24, '61 
Feb. 1, '64 
Apr. 18, '64 
Not given 
Aug. 9, '62 
Oct. 24, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 



Mustered out 

Oct. 24, '64 
Oct. 1, '62 

Jan. 4, '65 
June 17, '65 
Feb. 6, '65 

June 17, '65 
Oct. 11, '63 

Oct. 8, '64 

Nov. 22, '64 

June 17, '65 



Oct. 24, '61 June 28, '65 



Oct. 14, '61 
Oct. 14, '61 

Dec. 30, '61 

Feb. 12, '64 
Apr. 21, '64 
Not given 
Jan. 26, '64 
Oct. 14, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 
Jan. 4, '65 
Oct. 24, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 
Jan. 11, '65 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 
Dec. 16, '63 
Oct. 24, '61 
Oct. 29, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 
Jan. 9, '65 

Oct. 27, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 

Dec. 16, '63 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 

Not given 

Oct. 24, '61 



June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
Feb. 19, '63 
May 16, '65 



Oct. 6, '64 



June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
Oct. 17, '63 
Oct. 4, '64 
June 17, '65 
Oct. 4, '64 

June 27, '65 

Mar. 6, '64 

June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 

Dec. 15, '64 

Feb. 12, '63 

June 27, '65 



Remarks 

Missing June 30, 1862 

At Cedar Creek, Va. 

At Antietam, Md. 

Missing April 15, 1862 

Died at Salisbury, N. C. 

* 

On account of wounds 
Missing August 1(5, 1862 
* 

Missing at Brandy Station 

At Harjjer's Ferry, Va. 

At Winchester, Va. 



At Baltimore, Md. 
At Elmira, N. Y. 

Missing April, 1864 
At Cumberland, Md. 

Missing March, 1865 
Missing April 15, 1862 



Missing November 1, 1864 

* 

* 

Died in Washington 

At New York city 

* 

At New York city 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Died at Andersonville, Ga. 



Transferred to Vet. Res. 
Corps 
At Yorktown, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 



301 



5, '65 

14, '61 

24, '61 

24, '61 

16, '63 

4, '64 

24, '61 

13, '64 
24, '61 
24, '61 

. 7, '64 
24, '61 

. 29, '64 

, 24, '61 
.31, '64 
24, '61 
. 16, '63 
. 24, '61 



Name and Ranks Held Mnstered in 

Mansfield, James, Private Jan. 

McCabe, Lawrence, Private Oct. 

McCarthy, Robert, Private Oct. 

McDermott, Thomas, Private Oct. 

McDonald, Michael, Private, ^^^ 
Corporal 

McKinney, Wm. L., Private Feb. 

McQuade, Thomas, Private, q^^ 
Sergeant, Private 

McWilliams, Harvey, Private Dec. 

Mick, George, Private ■ Oct. 

Miller, James, Private Oct. 

Miller, John, Private Jan. 

Miller, Thos. J., 1st Sergt. Oct. 

Milliken, Warren, Private Dec. 

Moreau, Adolphus, Private, q^^^ 
Corporal 

Morris, Josiah, Private Dec. 

O'Brien, Thomas, Wagoner, q^^^ 

Private, Corporal, Sergt. 

O'Neil, James, Private Dec 

Osborne, John D., Saddler, q^^. 

Private, Corporal, Sergt. 

Patterson, Jesse H., Sergeant, q^^,. 24 '61 

Private 

Pattinson, Lionnell, Private Oct. 24, '61 

Penny, Alex. H., Private Not given 

Platte, Henry, Private, Corp. Oct. 24, '61 
Polley, Wm. L., Private Not given 

Potter, Henry, Private Jan. 12, '64 

Price, James H., Private June 30, '63 

Ranach, August H., Private Dec. 19, '64 

Reiley, Charles, Corp., Priv. Oct. 24, '61 

Rice, Charles C, Private Oct. 24, '61 

Riddle, John, Private Dec. 31, '64 

Roth, Gustav H., Private Oct. 14, '61 

Ruther, William, Bugler Oct. 24, '61 
Satterley, Selah K., Private Not given 

Satterley, Charles, Private Sept. 13, '64 

Schilling, Kendrick, Private Sept. 27, '61 
Schmitmyer, Joseph, Private Oct. 24, '61 

Schofens, George, Private Jan. 7, '65 

Schusterbaur, John, Private Oct. 24, '61 

Sharp, Henry J., Bugler, Priv. 

Shaver, Truman C, Private Sept. 21, '64 

Sherman, James, Private Oct. 24, '61 

Sleight, Benj. J., Private Oct. 24, '61 
Sloan, George, Farrier Not given 

Sloan, George, Private Apr. 4, '64 

Smith, Philip H., Private Feb. 3, '64 

Stebbins, John W., Private Feb. 5, '64 
Stephens, Frasier, Private Oct. 24, '61 

Stiles, Darius, Blacksmith Nov. 2, '61 



Mustered out 
June 17, '65 

Aug. 14, '63 
Jan. 18, '65 

•Tune 17, '65 

June 27, '65 



.June 17, '(i5 
Oct. 27, '62 
Apr. 7, '62 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 

June 27, '65 

June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 



Nov. 10, '62 

Sept. 3, '62 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
Oct. 30, '62 



Jan. 5, '64 
June 17, '65 
June 5, '65 



June 17, '65 
Jvme 17, '65 

Oct, 24, '61 Feb. 15, '65 

June 5, '65 
Oct. 24, '64 
Mch.27, '63 
Oct. 30, '62 

June 17, '65 

Sept. 3, '62 
June 27, '65 



Remarks 



Died 
At Lovettsville, Va. 



At Washington 



For disability 
From hospital 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



For promotion in U. S. A. 
At New York 



Missing July 10, 1864 
* 

* 
* 

At Yorktown, Va. 
Missing January 14, 1865 

Died at Alexandria, Va. 
* 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



Transferred to Vet. Res. 

Corps 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cedar Creek, Va. 

For disability 

At Yorktown, Va. 

Missing August 10, 1864 

* 

Captured Oct. 9 '64; n. f. r. 

For disability 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



302 



History of the 



Name and Ranks Held 

Tallidy, Seymour, Private 
Tetzmier, Carl, Private 
Tiernan, John, Private 
Tiffany, Wm. O., Private, 
Corporal 

Tomlinson, Geo. W., Private 

Traver, George, Private 
VanWyck, Cortlandt, Priv. 
Venty, James, Private 
Vulcommer, John, Private 
Webster, Harrison, Private, 
Webster, Milton H., Private, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Whitney, Chas. L. , Private 
Winter, John E., Corporal 



Mustered in 

Oct. 24, '61 
July 2.3, '64 
Not given 

Jan. 22, '64 

Jan. 30, '64 

Oct. 24, '61 
Oct. 14, '61 
Sept. 13, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 
Jan. 22, '64 

Oct. 24, '61 

Not given 
Oct. 24, '61 



Mustered out 
June 17, '65 

June 27, '65 

June 13, '64 
Feb. 12, '65 

June 5, '65 
Jan. 11, '63 
June 17, '65 

June 27, '65 

June 17, '65 



Remarks 
Missing April 15, 1862 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Left wounded at Trevil- 

ians Station 
Died at Richmond, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 

* 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



Total number of men in company, 155. 
Total number of men commissioned, 2. 



Company G 



Sheldon, Wm. A., Captain 
Ellerbeck, Robert E., 1st 

Lieut., Captain 
McKinney, Edward P., 2d 

Lieut. , 1st Lieutenant 
Abel, Burdett C, Private 
Albinger, Kafer, Private 
Alden, Noah F., Private 
Allen, Archable, Private 
Allen, Lewis H., Bugler, 

Corporal 

Allen, Lewis H., 2d, Private 

Applegate, Henry, Corporal, 

Sergeant 
Barry, William, Sergeant 
Bartholomew, John, Private 
Beach, George H., Private 
Bean, Lewis H., Private 
Beebe, Elisha H., Private 
Bender, Max, Private 
Benn, Martin, Private 
Bennewitz, Adolph, Private 
Byrd, James R., Priv.,Sergt. 
Bissell, Morris M., Private 
Blomberg, Chas., Private 
Boaks, Henry, Private 
Boli, Edward, Private 
Bruso, John F., Private 
Buck, Nelson G., Blacksmith 
Burdett, Edward, Private 



Oct. 24, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 

Dec. 16, '63 
Dec. 27, '64 
Oct. 24, '61 
Dec. 27, '64 

Oct. 24, '61 
Feb. 6, '64 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 
Not given 
Sept. 15, '64 
Oct. 24, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 
Dec. 29, '64 
Nov. 3, '61 
Dec. 30, '64 
Dec. 19, '63 
Sept. 5, '64 
Jan. 4, '65 

Not given 
Jan. 5, '65 
Oct. 24, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 



Jan. 2, '63 

Aug. 24, '63 

July 7, '64 

Nov. 15, '64 
June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 
Jan. 6, '63 

Jan. 3, '65 

June 27, '65 

Feb. 4, '62 
June 5, '65 

Dec. 21, '62 
June 17, '65 
Nov. 6, '64 

June 17, '65 
June 5, '65 
June 17, '65 
Jan. 30, '62 
June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 



Appointed Captain and 1 
Commissary of Subsistence 
For disability 



At Fairfax Seminary, Va. 

Died of disease after cap- 
tivity 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Missing September 17, 1862 

Died at Falmouth, Va. 

* 

At Middletown, Va. 

Missing June 16, 1865 

# 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
* 

For disability 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 



303 



Kame and Ranks Held 

Burgess, Thos. G., Private 
Burke, Ro>)ert, Private 
Cafterty, Darwin R., Private 
Carpenter, Charles, Private 
Carran, Chas. H., Sergt.,Priv. 
Casselbury, James, Private 
Cater, James, Private 
Chapman, Martin H., Private 
Chandler, Jefferson, Private 
Chapman, Ira, Private 
Clark, James M., Private 
Clayton, Richard, Private, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Cleveland, George W., Priv. 
Cole, Lorenzo D., Corporal, 

Sergeant 
Collar, Harvey, Corp., Sergt. 
Colt, Wm. L., Sergeant 
Comber, Fitz, Private 
Cornell, Austin, Farrier, Regt. 

Farrier 
Cornell, AVilliam, Private, 

Corporal, Private, Saddler 
Culver, Henry F. , Private 

Darling, John Atkins, Priv. 

Dickinson, Henry C, Private 
Dingman, Jacob, Private 
Donnellson, AVilliam, Private 
Doorley, Edward, Priv. , Corp., 

Sergt., 1st Sergt. 
Doter, Walter, Private 
Dubois, George W., Private, 

Corporal 
Federson, Peter H., Private 
Ferguson, Chas. B., Private 
Ferguson, Jas. B., Private, 

Hospital Steward 
Flanney, William, Private 
Foster, Simeon C, Private 
Freeland, Hiram E., Private, 

Corporal, Sergeant, 1st 

Sergeant, 1st Lieutenant 
Freeman, Jeremiah, Private 
Gear, Sabins, Private 
Geary, Daniel, Private 
Gissulmann, John, Private 
Gould, George W., Private 
Grass, Philip, Private 
Green, Adelbert, Priv., Bug. 
Gross, John, Priv., Corp. 
Gross, George, Private 
Guernsey, Aai, Corp., Priv. 
Hadsell, William, Private 



Mustered in 


Mustered out 


Remarks 


Oct. 24, '<)1 


Oct. 25, 


'62 


For disability 


Oct. 24, '()1 


Apr. 25, 


'64 


Transferred to Navy 


Oct. 24, '61 








Oct. 24, '61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, '61 


Oct. 26, 


'62 


For disability 


Dec. 16, '6:^ 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, '(51 








Not given 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, '61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, '61 








Not given 


Sept. 14, 


'62 


For disability 


Sept. 22, '(i2 








Dec. 27, '64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, '61 


Sept. 4, 


'64 


Killed at Berryville, Va. 


Not given 


Oct. 24, 


'62 


For disability 


Oct. 24, '61 


Feb'y, 1864 


Transferred to Invalid Corps 


Not given 


June 17, 


65 


* 


Oct. 24, '61 


May 9, 


'63 




Oct. 24, '61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, '61 














* Enlisted under the name 


Sept. 15, '64 


June 17, 


'65 


of John Atkins 


Oct. 24, '61 


Aug. 4, 


'62 


For disability 


Sept. 2, '64 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Oct. 24, '61 


Dec. 22, 


'63 


Died of disease 


Oct. 24, '61 


June 27, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Oct. 19, '61 








Not given 


June 11, 


'65 


At Elmira, N. Y. 


Jan. 5, '65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 5, '64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, '61 


Oct. 23, 


'64 




Jan. 3, '65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, '61 


June 30, 


'62 


For disability 


Oct. 24, '61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, '<>1 








Oct. 24, '61 


Jan. 30, 


'62 


For disability 


Sept. 15, '64 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Jan. 4, ^i)0 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 22, '62 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Jan. 4, '(i5 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, '61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Not given 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Not given 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, '«)1 


Nov. 22, 


'64 


At Winchester, Va. 


Oct. 24, '61 









504 



History of the 



Name and Ranks Held 

Hansen, Christian B. , Private 
Harris, Chas. B., Sergeant, 

1st Sergeant, 2d Lieut. 
Head, Hubbard, Private 
Hentle, Hendrich, Private 
Hill, William, Private, Cor- 
poral, Sergeant 
Hogan, Daniel, Private 
Hunt, George W., Private 
Jeffries, George, Private 
Jensen, Ezkina P., Private 
Johnson, Cameron, Private 
Kearney, Thos. F., Private, 

Corporal 
Kellaii, Cornelius, Private 
Kelly, John, Private 
Keppinger, Fritz, Private 
Knight, Frederick, Bugler 
Kohlback, Adam, Corporal 
Kreamer, George, Private 
Lenning, Wm., Private 
Lincoln, George, Private 
Mack, Azurr, Private 
Mahoney, James, Private 
Martin, Josiah, Private 
Martin, Wm. G., Private, 

Corporal, Private 
^Nlaynard, Asahel, Sergeant 
McKenna, Frank, Private 
Miller, Carl, Private 
Miller, George, Private 
Miller, John, Private 
Mitchell, Harrison H.,Priv., 
Corp., Sergt., 1st Sergt., 
2d Lieut. 
Mitchell, Homer, Sergeant 
Mitchell, Horace W., Private, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Monro, John, Private 
Morgan, Wm. J., 
Mott, Daniel E., Priv., Corp. 
Mozenthine, Frederick, Priv. 
Mosier, Robert W. , Private 
Mulneaux, Lorin G., Private 
Murdock, Emory W., Private 
Murdock, James, Private 
Newman, George A., Priv. 
Noble, Robert, Private 
Palmer, Marvin, Private 
Peterson, Frederick, Pri- 
vate, Corporal, Sergeant 
Peterson, Louis, Private 
Pettitt, James F., Corporal, 
Sergeant, 2d Lieut. 



Musterec 


I in 


Mustered out 


Remarks i 


Jan. 3, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, 


'61 


Jan. 1, 


65 


Transferred to Vet. Res. 
Corps 


Oct. 24, 


'61 


Jan. 30, 


'62 


For disability 


Jan. 3, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Dec. 16, 


'63 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 19, 


'61 








Not given 








Oct. 24, 


'61 








Jan. 4, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, 


'61 








Sept. 23, 


'62 


Oct. 19, 


'63 


At Columbia Hospital 


Oct. 24, 


'61 








Oct. 24, 


'61 


Dec. 13, 


'63 


Transferred to Invalid Corps • 


Dec. 31, 


'64 


Oct. 5, 


'65 


At Albany, N. Y. 


Oct. 24, 


'61 


Mar. 27, 


'63 


For disaloility 


Dec. 30, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 4, 


'65 


June 17, 


•65 


* 


Sept. 15, 


'64 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Dec. 29, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 12, 


'(U 








Dec. 27, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, 


'61 








Dec. 16, 


'63 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, 


'61 






Missing May 29, 1863 


Sept. 15, 


'64 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Jan. 3, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Dec. 28, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Dec. 30, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 

1 


Oct. 24, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, 


'61 


May 8, 


'62 


Died at Perry ville, Md. 


Oct. 24, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 7, 


'64 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Oct. 24, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, 


'61 


Nov. 22, 


'64 


Died at Salisbury, N. C. 


Dec. 24, 


'63 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 24, 


'61 


Jan. 1, 


'63 


For disability 


Mar. 24, 


'62 


July 10, 


'63 


For disability 


Sept. 15, 


'64 


June (i, 


'65 


At Fredericks, Va. 


Dec. 12, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* \ 

1 


Oct. 24, 


'61 


Oct. 16, 


'64 


At New York city 


Dec. 29, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* \ 


Oct. 24, 


'61 


Oct. 18, 


'64 


At Middletown, Va. 


Oct. 24, 


'61 


May 25, 


'63 


Died in King George's Co. 


Sept. 26, 


'64 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Oct. 24, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 



305 



Name anil Hanks llelti 

Pettitt, Joseph, Private 
Pfronimer, Gotthold, Private 
Phelan, James, Private, Cor- 

in>ral, Sergeant 
Phelps, WiUanl. Private 
Piatt, Christie, Private 
Powers, INIatthew, Private 
Pratt, David, Private, Cor- 
poral, Sergeant 
Reeves, William, Private 
Rode, Charles, Private 
Saflbrd, .Manley A., Private 
Schmidt, John, Private 
Searles, George, Private 
Shears, Charles B., Private 
Statts, Jonatlian W., Corp. 
Snyder, Henry, Private 
Snyder, Wni. G., Priv.,Corp. 
Stontenbnrgh, David S. , Priv. 
Stoutenburgh, Irwin J., Priv. 
Stoutenhnrgh, Oscar, Cor- 
poral, Sergeant 
Tanner, James, Private 
Taylor, Carlton P., Cor- 
poral, Sergeant, l^rivate 
Thompson, Thomas, Private 
Thorn, Albert J., Private, 

Corporal 
Thorp, Russell, Private 
Toaz, Robert, Private 
Todd, John, Private 
Train, John B., Private 

Tripp, George S. , Private 

Tyler, George P., Corporal, 

Private 
Vanderwark, George, Private 
Wakerly, Henry J., Private, 
Bugler, Corporal, Sergeant 
Wilsey, Simon K., Private 
WilHamson, Chas. H., Pri- 
vate, Corporal 
Wilsie, Martin D., Private 
Winsor, Daniel G., Private, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Wood, Herman H., Private 
Wood, Jerome A., Corporal 
Woyl, Frederick, Private 
Zcthoche, Theodore, Private 



Musti-Ti'd in 

Jan. 4, '()5 
Aug. 16, '()4 

Mar. 24, '62 

Oct. 24, '61 
Dec. 30, '64 
Dec. 28, '64 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '(>! 
Dec. 29, '64 
Oct. 24, '61 
Dec. 16, '63 
Oct. 19, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 

Not given 
Oct. 24, '61 

Not given 
Oct. 24, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 19, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, 't)l 

Sept. 15, '64 

Sept. 22, '64 
Oct. 24, '61 
Sept. 23, '64 
Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '61 

Oct. 24, '(>1 

Nov. 10, '62 

Oct. 24, '61 

Not given 

Oct. 24, '61 

Feb. 6, '64 

Sept. 15, '64 

Sept. 2, '64 
Oct. 24, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 
Dec. 31, '64 



Mustcreii out 

June 17, '65 
June 5, '65 

June 12, '(i4 

Oct. 18, '64 

June 17, '65 

Mar. 20, '64 

Oct. 23, '()2 
June 17, '65 

Nov. 21, '64 

Jan. 30, '62 

Nov. 12, '^64 
June 17, '65 
Oct. 26, '64 

June 27, '65 



June 17, '(55 

June 5, '65 

June 5, '65 
June 17, '<i5 
June 5, '65 

Sept. 11, '63 

June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 

June 17, '()5 

June 17, '65 

June 5, '(i5 

June 5, '65 
June 17, '()5 
.lune 17, '65 
Aug. 2, '65 



Remarks 

* 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Killed at Trevilians Station 

At Middletown, Va. 

Missing May 4, 18()5 

* 

Died at Culpeper C. H. 
For disability 

For disability 

Missing September 17, 1862 
At York, Pa. 

Died at Salisbury, N. C. 
■* 

At Middletown, Va. 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
* 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Transferred to Vet. Res. 
Corps 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

* 

Died in hospital 



Total number of men in company, 151. 
Total number of men conunissioned, 4. 



20 



306 



History of the 



Company H. 



Name and Ranks Held 

Hall, Wm. P., Captain, Ma- 
jor, Lieut. Col. 
Aitken, Wm. F., 1st Lieut., 

Captain 
Titus, Edward, 2d Lieut., 1st 

Lieut., Captain 
Aitken, Thomas, Private 
Armstrong, Peter, Private 
Austen, Andrew J., Private 
Barrow, John, Private 
Baxter, Thos. H., Private, 

Corporal 
Begley, Daniel, Private 
Blackburn, Wm., Private 
Blank, Simon, Private 
Brath, Sebastian, Private 
Brigham, Riley H., Private, 

Corporal 
Brunnell, Albert, Private 
Buchanan, John W., Private 
Burke, William, Private 
Burris, Albert, Private 
Burris, Robert, Private 
Burris, Zachariah, Private 
Burtis, Adalbert, Private 
Clark, C. Edward, Private 
Cochrane, James H., Private 
Coenhowen, James, Private 
Colis, John, Private 
Conklin, James, Private 
Corry, Chester, Private 
'Corry, Rufus, Private 
Crasson, Lubin, Priv., Sergt. 
■Crawford, Frank, Private 
Daly, Andrew, Private 
Davis, Julius, Private 
Davis, Peter, Private 
Dean, William, Private 
Denis, Lafayette, Private 
Depkin, George, Private 
Dickinson, Jas. H., Private 
Dingey, Jas. H., Corp., Priv. 
Donnally, Frank, Private 
Duffy, IMichael, Private 
Dunigle, Fred'k, Private 
Dunnay, Chas., Private 
Duryea, Wm. S., 1st Sergt., 

2d Lieut., 1st Lieut., Capt. 
Eberts, Robert J., Private, 

2d Lieutenant 
Edwards, Lewis B., Private 
Evans, John J., Priv., Sergt. 



Mustered in 
Oct. 28, '61 
Oct. 28, '61 

Oct. 28, '61 

Oct. 28, '61 
Oct. 28, '61 
Oct. 28, '61 
Jan. 4, '6.5 

Oct. 28, '61 

Jan. (), '65 
Jan. 7, '()5 
Jan. 7, '6.5 
Dec. 14, '63 

Nov. 28, '62 

Jan. 5, '65 
Jan. 7, '65 
Jan. 11, '65 
Oct. 28, '61 
Oct. 28, '61 
Oct. 28, '61 
Oct. 28, '61 
Jan. 5, '64 
Dec. 1(>, '63 
Oct. 28, '61 
Jan. 5, '65 
Oct. 28, '61 
Oct. 28, '61 
Oct. 28, '61 
Nov. 12, '61 
Oct. 28, '61 
Feb. 9, '64 
Jan. 4, '65 
Oct. 28, '61 
Oct. 28, '61 
Oct. 28, '61 
Jan. 5, '65 
Feb. 20, '()2 
Oct. 28, '61 
Jan. 7, '65 
Jan. 7, '65 
Jan. 7, '65 
Jan. (i, '65 

Oct. 28, '61 .Tune 17, '65 

Oct. 28, '61 June 17, '65 

Not given Dec. 26, '64 
Oct. 28, '61 June 27, '()5 



jNIustered out 
May 15, '65 
Dec. 22, '64 
Jan. 13, '65 

Not given 

June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 

.Tune 17, '65 
June 17, '65 

Aug. 31, '64 

June 30, '65 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
Oct. 26, '64 
Oct. 21, '64 
Dec. 9, '64 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
Not given 
June 17, '65 

Feb. 3, '63 

Nov. 13, '64 
June 17, '65 



Remarks 



June 17, '65 
May 31, '65 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
Mar. 31, '65 



At W^inchester, Ya. 

For disability from wounds 

DropjDed from rolls 
For disability 



No further record 
Died of wounds 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



Died prisoner of war 

Died at Salisbury, N. C. 
No further record 



For disability 



For disability 
Missing February 8, 1864 

Dropped December, 1861 
* 

No further record 
No further record 
No further record 
Dropped from rolls 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



Died in hospital 



Died at Danville, Va. 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



Sixth Netu York Cavalry. 



307 



Name anrt Ranks Held 

Ferns, Thomas, Private 
Ferris, Thomas, TMvate 
Flaniofan, John, l*rivate 
Flynn, Kdward, I'rivate 
Foley, John, IVivate 
French, Peter, Farrier 
Fry, Thomas, Priv. , 1st Lieut. 
Fullman, Harmon, Private 
Giblsons, John, Private 
Gordon, Edmund H., Private 
Gordon, Samuel H., Private 
Goss, David, I'rivate 
Grimshaw, Samuel, Private, 

Sergeant 
Hall, William, Corp., Sergt. 
Hamilton, Alexander, Priv. 
Hancock, Joseph, Private 
Hansa, John, Private 
Harbes, Charles, Private 
Harris, William, Private 
Harrison, Geo. W., Farrier 

and Blacksmith 
Henry, Thomas, Private 
Hicks, Caleb, Saddler 
Hicks, Henry, Private 
Hill, Albert J., Sergeant, 1st 

Sergt., 1st Lieut., Capt. 
Holyer, Alexander, Private 
Homiston, David L., Private 
Hynes, Edward, Private 
Jay, Joseph, Private 
Johnson, John, Private 
Jones, John J., Sergeant 
Junnigan, BenJ., Private 
Kelly, John, Private 
Lamont, Edward, Private 
Latham, EldridgeP., Private, 

Sergeant 
Lewis, James G., Private, 

Bugler 
Lincoln, Asa, Sergeant 
Linderman, John F., Private 
Mackinson, James, Private, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
McAleer, James, Private, Cor- 
poral, 2d Lieutenant 
McBride, Edward, Private 
McCord, Smith, Corp., Priv. 
McCrumb, AVm., Private 
McKeever, Denis, Private 
McKuen, Hugh, Private 
McManus, James, Farrier 
Mead, William, Private 
Merkel. Chas. M., Private 



Mustered 


in 


Musterert out 


Remarks 


Sept. 10, 


'(14 






No further record 


Sept. 10, 


'()4 


June 5, 


'65 




Jan. 4, 


'()5 


June 17, 


'(io 


* 


Oct. 28, 


'(il 


Dec. 18, 


'63 


Died at Culpeper C. H. 


Jan. 5, 


't)5 


Sept. 4, 


'65 




Oct. 28, 


'61 








Oct. 28, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. (), 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Dec. 11, 


'<;3 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28, 


'61 


Dec. 22, 


'62 


For disability 


Oct. 28, 


'(il 


Dec. 23, 


'63 


For disability 


Not giv 


en 


June 16, 


'65 


For disability 


Oct. 28, 


'61 


Nov. 5, 


'64 


Died of wounds 


Oct. 28, 


'61 


June 27, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Jan. 13, 


'65 






Missing February 21, 1865 


Jan. 6, 


'65 






Missing May 22, 18(55 


Jan. 7, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. G, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 9, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Nov. 18, 


'61 








Oct. 28, 


'61 








Oct. 28, 


'()1 








Oct. 28, 


'61 








Oct. 28, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28, 


'61 








Oct. 28, 


'61 


Sept. 27, 


'62 


For disability 


Jan. 9, 


'64 


May 22, 


'65 




Oct. 28, 


'61 








Jan. 12, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28, 


'61 


Oct. 21, 


'64 




Mar. 5, 


'62 


Apr. 8, 


'65 




Jan. 6, 


'65 






Missing February 22, 18(35 


Nov. 1, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28, 


'61 


June 27, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Ya. 


Oct. 28, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28, 


'61 








Jan. 5, 


'65 


May 17, 


'65 


Died in hospital 


Mar. 10, 


'62 


May 31 , 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Not given 


May 13, 


'65 




Nov. 18, 


'62 








Oct. 28, 


'()1 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28, 


'61 


June 23, 


'64 


Killed at Jones' Bridge, Va 


Oct. 28, 


'61 


Dec. 9, 


'62 


For disability 


Jan. 4, 


'(55 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28, 


'61 






No further record 


Oct. 28, 


'61 






Dropped December, 1861 


Jan. 7, 


'(;5 


June 17, 


'65 


* 



308 



Name and Ranks Held 

Metz, Michael, Private, Cor- 
poral, Sergeant 
Miller, Joseph, Private 
Miller, Thomas H., Private 
Morehead, Thos., Private 
O'Brien, John, Priv., Corp. 
Owens, Russell S., Private 
Page, Joseph C, Corporal, 

Private, Saddler 
Palmer, Sidney, Private 
Parr, John, Private 
Pearson, Thaddeus, Private 
Perkins, Jesse T., Private 
Pickett, Andrew D., Private, 

Farrier 
Porter, "William, Saddler, 

Private 
Porter, Wm., 2d, Private 
Posey, Henry, Private 
Preston, Edgar, Priv., Sergt. 
Preston, Henry H., Private, 

Sergeant 
Prince, George S., Corporal, 

Private 
Quinn, Joseph, Private 
Reiners, Christian, Private 
Reynolds, Wm. R., Private 
Rickert, Henry G., Private 
Rogers, Joseph, Private 
Rose, William, Private 
Ryan, James, Private 
Sauner, John, Private 
Schaefter, Alfred, Private 

Schwalin, Fred'k, Private 

Schwister, Julius, Private 
Scully, James, Corp., Priv. 
See, Adam H., Corp., Priv. 
Smith, James D., Bugler 
Smith, Robert H., Private 
Smith, Thomas, Private 
Smith, Wm. E., Private 
Sprague, John, Private 
Sutton, Andrew J., Sergeant, 

1st Sergeant 
Swegin, John, Private 
Sweeney, Timothy, Bugler, 

Private 
Sweeney, William, Private 
Taber, Elbert W., Private, 

Corporal 
Taber, William F., Private, 

Corporal 
Tester, John H., Private 



His 


tonj 


ot the 






Mustered in 


Mustered out 


Remarks 


Oct. 28 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Dec. 12 


'63 


Jan. 17, 


'65 


Died of injuries 


Jan. 7 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28 


'61 








Feb. 9 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 7 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28 


'61 






Missing April l(i, 1864 


Jan. 7 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


» 


Oct. 28 


'61 








Jan. 5 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28 


'61 


Mar. 15, 


'65 


Died at Wilmington, N. OJ 


Oct. 28 


'61 








Oct. 28 


'61 








Jan. 6 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Dec. l(i 


'63 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 7 


'65 


Mar. 30, 


'65 


From hospital 


Mar. 22 


'64 


Jan. 28, 


'65 


At Washington 


Oct. 81 


'61 


Aug. 4, 


'62 


Died of disease 


Oct. 28 


'61 






No further record 


Jan. (i 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 4 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28 


'61 






No further record 


Oct. 28 


'61 








Dec. 15 


'63 


Sept. 30, 


'64 


Transferred to Vet. Res. 
Corps 


Jan. 5 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28 


'61 


June 7, 


'65 


At Annapolis, Md. 


Oct. 28 


'61 


Sept. 4, 


'(i4 


Killed at Berryville, Va. 


Oct. 28 


'61 


Oct. 21, 


'64 




Oct. 28 


'61 


Dec. 18, 


'62 


For disability 


Mar. o 


'(;4 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 10 


'(i5 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28 


'61 


June 27, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Jan. 5, 


'(\b 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28 


'61 


Oct. 21, 


'64 




Oct. 28, 


'61 


Oct. 21, 


'64 




Oct. 28 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 2S 


'61 


Dec. 2, 


'63 


Died in Richmond, Va. 


Oct. 28 


'61 


June 17, 


'(io 


* 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 



309 



Name and Ranks Held 



INIustered 


in 


Mustered out 


Oct. 1(), 


'61 






Jan. 4, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


Jan. 9, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


Jan. 9, 


'65 


Aug. 9, 


'65 


.Ian. 7, 


'65 


Jan. 17, 


'65 


Oct. 28, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Jan. 4, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


Oct. 28, 


'()1 






Jan. 10, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


Not given 


May 3, 


'64 


Oct. 28, 


'61 






Mch. 10, 


'62 


Mar. 8, 


'65 


Oct. 28, 


'61 






Oct. 28, 


'61 






Oct. 28, 


'61 


Oct. 4, 


'64 


Oct. 28, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 



Tho£uas, Joseph, Private 
Thompson, Edward, Private, 

Corporal 
Wakeman, James, Private 
Watman, James, Private 
Webber, Joseph, Private 
Wheeler, Harmon, Private 
AVIiite, James, Private 
Wilkinson, Wni., Private 
WilUams, Edward, Private 
Wilson, Alexander, Corporal 
Wilson, .lames, Private 
Wright, James F., Private 
Yack, John, Private 
Yeomans, Joseph, Private 
Young, George W., Private 
Young, Julius B., Corporal, 

Private 



Total number of men in company, 148. 
Total number of men commissioned, 5. 



Crocker, Wm. H. Captain, 

Major, Lieut. -colonel 
Richardson, David P., 1st 

Lieutenant 
Bell, J. Hamilton, 2d Lieut., 

1st Lieut., Captain 
Ackerman, Francis M., Pri- 
vate, Corporal 
Adams, David, Private 
Allen, Chas., Private 
Anderson, John, Private 
Applin, Samuel C, Private 
Baker, Amandon, Private 
Bard, Robert C, Priv., Corp. 
Benjamin, Chas. D., Private 
Besley, William B., Private, 

Ptegt. Qr. Mr. Sergt. 
Boon, John, Private 
Bowne, John P., Private 
Byington, Aaron, Saddler 
Byington, Geo. H., Private 
Bradshaw, James, Corporal, 

Private 
Brengel, John N., Private, 

Sergeant 
BreslofF, Louis, Priv., Corp. 
Brice, AVilliam, Private 
Burnham, Willis E., Private, 
Corporal 



Remarks 
No further record 



At Washington 
Died of injuries 

* 

* 

No further record 
* 

For wounds 

No further record 

Died at Richmond, Va. 



Company I 






Nov. 15, 


'61 


Dec. 29, 


'64 




Nov. 26, 


"61 


Nov. 27, 


'64 




Nov. 26, 


'61 


June 17, 


'()5 


* 


Aug. 6, 


'62 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Nov. 2, 
Aug. 19, 
Dec. 19, 
Sept. 15, 
Sept. 14, 
Nov. 2, 
Nov. 13, 


'61 
'62 
'64 
'64 
'64 
'61 
'61 


Dec. 18, 
Jan. 17, 
June 17, 
June 5, 
June 5, 
.June 17, 
June 17, 


'62 
'63 

'<)5 
'65 
'65 

'65 
'(>5 


Died in hospital 

Died in hospital 

* 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

* 

* 


Aug. 25, 


'62 


June 6, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Sept. 16, 
Aug. 15, 
Aug. 19, 
Sept. 3, 


'62 

'62 
'62 
'62 


June 5, 
June 5, 
Sept. 20, 
]\Iar. 30, 


'65 
'65 
'64 
'(i3 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For wounds 

For disability 


Nov. 15, 


'61 


Oct. 28, 


'62 


Transferred to 2d U. S. Cav 


Aug. 13, 


'62 


June 5, 


'tio 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Jan. 4, 
Feb. 19, 


'65 

'64 


June 17, 
June 17, 


'65 
'65 


■it 
* 


Nov. 15, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 



;io 



History of the 



Name and Ranks Held 

Campbell, William, Private 
Capen, Cyrus N., Private, 

Farrier 
Carney, Dennis, Private 
Cary, Franklin J., Private 
Cassidy, Christopher, Private 
Clark, Milton H., Private 
Clements, Erastus, Private 
Cody, John, Private 
Connors, James, Private 
Conway, John, Private, 

Blacksmith 
Constine, Alexander, Private 
Cooper, Henry G. , Private 
Corthell, Joseph K., Private 
Corthell, Wm. H., Private, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Davis, Chas. W., Private 
Devin, Dominick, Private, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Doty, David R., Private 
Dwight, Mason C, Private 
Eager, George C, Private 
Eberlein, George, Private 
Endress, Valentine, Private 
Engelhardt, Chas., Private 
Fanshaw, Samuel A., Private, 

Corporal 
Fenner, Byron A. , Private 
Fisk, William E., Private 
Fosgate, Edgar G., Private 
Foster, Daniel, Private 
Francis, Chas. W., Private, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Free, Chas. H., Priv., Corp. 
Freeborn, DeForest G., Pri- 
vate, Corporal, Sergeant 
Freeburghouse, Rudolph, Priv. 
Freeburghouse, John, Priv. 
Freidenburg, John, Private 
French, Erastus D., Private 
Glessner, John, Private 
Goetz, Jacob C, Priv., Corp. 
Goss, John, Sergt. , Priv. 
Green, Wm. H., Private 
Grinnell, John E., Private, 

Saddler 
Halbert, Jerome B., Private, 

Corporal, Sergt. , 1st Sergt. 
Hammond, Albert V., Priv. 
Hammond, Edwin C, Priv. 
Hammond, Josiah B., Priv. 
Hammond, Wilbur F., Priv. 
Harmon, R. A. D., Private 



Mustered in 


Mustered out 


Remarks 


Sept. 7 


'64 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Nov. 2 


'61 


Oct. 19, 


'62 


For disability 


Aug. 15 
Nov. 2 
Jan . 5 
Aug. 20 
Nov. 26 
Aug. 12 
Oct. 17 


'62 

'61 
'65 
'62 
'64 
'62 
'64 


June 5, '65 
June 27, '62 
June 17, '65 
Jan. 21, '64 

June, 1864 
June 17, '65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 

* 

Transferred to Invalid Corps 

Missing March 1, 1865 
Transferred to Invalid Corps 
* 


Dec. 28 


'63 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Nov. 15, 
Feb. 13 
Apr. 26 


'61 
'64 
'64 


July 10, 
June 9, 
June 17, 


'62 
'65 
'65 


For disability 

At Washington 

* 


Nov. 2 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Feb. 26 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Aug. 30 


'62 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Nov. 21 
Aug. 29 


'61 
'62 


Jan. 9, 


'63 


For disability 
Missing December 8, 1862 


Nov. 16 
Nov. 2, 
Dec. 7, 
Jan. 5 


'61 
'61 
'63 
'63 


Dec. 30, 
June 17, 
June 17, 
June 17, 


'62 
'65 
'65 
'65 


For dis-ability 
* 
* 
* 


Aug. 21 


'62 


June 23, 


'64 


Killed at Jones' Bridge, Va. 


Nov. 15 
Nov. 13 
Nov. 15 
Sept. 18 


'61 
'61 
'61 
'64 


July 29, 
Aug. 25, 

June 5, 


'62 
'64 

'65 


Died in Alexandria 
At New York 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Nov. 7 


'61 


Nov. 9, 


'64 


Died of wounds 


Aug. 13 


'62 


Aug. 16, 


'64 


Killed at Cedarville, Va. 


Aug. 19 


'62 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Nov. 15 
Sept. 28 
Sept. 18 
Nov. 2 
Sept. 12 
Aug. 13 
Nov. 2 
Nov. 2 


'61 
'64 
'62 
'61 
'62 
'62 
'61 
'61 


June 17, 
June 5, 
June 5, 
Dec. 29, 
June 5, 
June 5, 
June 17, 


'65 
'65 
'65 
'63 
'65 
'65 
'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

* 


Nov. 2, 


'61 


Dec. 13, 


'62 


For disability 


Nov. 15 


'61 


June 27, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Aug. 13 
Aug. 13 
Aug. 13 
Aug. 13 
Dec. 24 


'62 
'62 
'62 
'62 
'63 


Mar. 12, 
Dec. 13, 
Mar. 14, 
June 17, 
Aug. 12, 


'63 

'62 
'63 
'65 
'64 


For disability 

Died at Falmouth, Va. 

For disability 

* 

Died from wounds 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 



Ill 



Name and Ranks Held 



Hanegan, Lewis, Priv., Sergt. 
Hart, Charles, Private 
Harvey, Lyman, Private 
Haskin, Peter V., Private, 

1st Lieutenant 
Hayden, Augustine F., Pri- 
vate, Corporal, Sergeant 
Hayden, Edwin L., Private 
Hays, Calvin, Private 
Hemniel, John, Private 
Holcombe, Harmon W., Pri- 
vate, Bugler, Sergeant 
Holcombe, Henry M., Priv. 
Hopson, Sidney P., Private, 

Corporal 
Hubbard, Jas. D. C, Pri- 
vate, Bugler 
Jenison, Sam'l P., Private, 

Corporal 
Jenning, Joseph P., Private 
Jones, George, Private 
Keck, Nicholas, Private 
Kelley, George H., Private 
Kroenig, Edward, Private 
Lafever, John H., Private 
Lawrence, WiUiam, Private 
Lean, Timothy, Private 
Lee, Daniel P>., Private 
Little, James, Priv., Sergt. 
Locke, James H., Private 
Loesner, Bernard, Private 
Marsh, Ezra, Private 
Marshall, James C, Private 
May, Samuel S., Private, 

Corporal , Sergeant 
Mayhew, Lewis, Private 
McAfee, Jolm, Priv., Corp. 
McCluer, Freeman, Corporal, 

Saddler 
McCluer, John, Private 
McKean, Simon I., Private 
MclNIahon, James, Private 
McMahon, Patrick, Private, 

Corporal 
McNall, Efner, Private, Cor- 
poral, Sergeant 
McNally, James, Private 
Meach, George E., Private, 

Blacksmith, Sergeant 
Miller, Charles, Private 
Miller, Russell J., Corporal 
Mitchell, Lewis H., Private, 
Sergt., Regt. Com. Sergt. 
Monroe, Chas. M., Private 



Musterer 


lin 


Mustered out 


Nov. 2, 


'61 


June 27, 


'65 


Jan. (5, 


'64 


Aug. 22, 


'64 


Nov. 2, 


'61 


Aug. 13, 


'62 


Feb. L3, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 2, 


'61 


Apr. 30, 


'64 


Nov. 2, 


'61 


Mar. 2, 


'63 


Sept. 3, 


'64 


June 5, 


'65 


Dec. 8, 


'63 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 20, 


'61 


June 27, 


'65 


Nov. 20, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 15, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 15, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 2, 


'61 


June 27, 


'65 


Nov. 15, 


'61 


Sept. 19, 


'62 


May 26, 


'62 


Feb. 4, 


'63 


Jan. 4, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 2, 


'61 


Mar. 15, 


'64 


Aug. 15, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 2, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 2, 


'61 


Dec. 28, 


'61 


Not given 


June 17, 


'(55 


Nov. 15, 


'61 






Nov. 2, 


'61 


June 27, 


'm 


Nov. 2, 


'61 


Jan. 23, 


'62 


Aug. 14, 


'(i2 


June 17, 


'("lb 


Nov. 2, 


'61 


June ]7, 


'65 


Not given 


June 17, 


'65 


July 29, 


'62 


June 6, 


'65 


Nov. 15, 


'61 


Nov. 19, 


'64 


Nov. 2, 


'(U 


July 2(i, 


'64 


Nov. 2, 


'61 


Dec. 13, 


'62 


Nov. 2, 


'61 


Nov. 12, 


'64 


Sept. 9, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 21, 


'61 


May 18, 


'65 


Nov. 2, 


'61 


Nov. 6, 


'()2 


Nov. 2, 


'61 


Oct. 11, 


'63 


Sept. 3, 


'64 


June 5, 


'65 


Nov. 19, 


'()1 


June 17, 


'65 


Aug. 29, 


'()2 






Nov. 2, 


'61 ' 


Jan. 23, 


'63 


Nov. 15, 


'61 


June 27, 


'65 


Aug. 15, 


'(;2 


.lune 5, 


'65 



Remarks 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 
Died in Alexandria 



For promotion to Capt. 

and xV. A. G. 

For disability 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Died at Washington 

At Washington 

* 

Transferred to Invalid Corps 

* 
Died at York, Pa. 

Missing May 1, 1862 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For disability 



At Alexandria, Va. 

Died at Salisbury, N. C. 
Killed at Deep P3ottom, Va. 

For disability 

Killed at Newtown, \'a. 
* 

For disability 
Died at Washington. 

Killed atMorton's Ford,Va, 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



Missing May 20, 1863 '■ 
For disability 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



312 



History of the 



Name and Ranks Held 

Muldoon, John, Sergeant, 1st 

Sergeant, 1st Lieutenant 
Noonan, Patrick, Private 
Nowey, Thomas, Private 
Older, Marvin, Corp., Priv. 
Palmer, John, Corporal 

Parker, Ralph, Private 

Palmer, Willard C, Private 
Pearl, Levi L., Private 
Peter, Ferdinand, Private 
Peterson, William, Private 
Phillips, David L., Priv., Corp. 
Phillips, AVm. W., IstSergt., 

2d Lieut. 
Phippen, Aurannah W. , Priv. , 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Poyer, Stephen J., Private 
Pratt, Edward F., Bugler, 

Private, Corporal 
Purcell, Wm. S., Private 
Raleigh, Thomas, Private 
Roddis, John, Private 
Rose, Reuben, H., Private 
Ruben, Jacob, Private 
Ryder, P^lijah, Private 
Saunders, Franklin T., Ser- 
geant, 1st Lieutenant 
Saunders, James, Private 
Schram, Rudolph. Private 
Scott, John, Private 
Seeley, James H., Private 
Seeley, Levi L., I'rivate 
Service, Chas. W., Private 
Shepard, Cortland P., Priv., 

Sergt., Regt. Qr. Mr. Sergt. 
Shuman, Ernest, Private, 

Corporal 
Smith, Ephraim F., Private 
Smith, J. Wesley, Private 
Stickney, John, Priv., Sergt. 
Stickney, Levi, I'rivate 
Still, Dexter, Private 
Stone, Wm. H., Priv., Corp. 
Streeter, Lelmon, Private 
Sturdevant, Sam'l W., Pri- 
vate, Sergeant 
Taylor, Benj. F., Private, 

Corporal 
Taylor, Henry H., Private 
Thiers, Alonzo, Private 
Thomas, Erastus, Private 
Thompson, Frank, Sergeant 
Thorpe, Harry W., Private 



Mustered 


in 


Mustered out 


Nov. 


15, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 


15, 


'<il 






Dec. 


31, 


'64 


June 17, 


'()5 


Nov 


2, 


'61 


Nov. 4, 


'(i4 


Nov 


2 


'61 


Oct. 11, 


'63 


Sept 


.12, 


'62 


Dec. 7, 


'64 


Jan. 


30, 


'64 


June 17, 


'(i5 


Nov. 


2 


'61 


Aug. l(i. 


'(i4 


Aug 


19, 


'()2 


June 5, 


'(55 


Dec. 


28, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 


2 


'()1 


June 23, 


'(54 


Nov. 


2 


'61 


.June 11, 


'63 


Nov 


15, 


'61 


June 27, 


'(i5 


Aug. 


13, 


'62 


Dec. 2(i, 


'62 


Nov. 


13, 


'61 


Sept. 4, 


'64 


Aug. 


19, 


'62 


June 5, 


'(io 


Aug. 


15, 


'(>2 






Aug. 


19, 


'62 






Aug. 


13, 


'62 


June 5, 


'(55 


Sept 


11, 


'()2 


June 5, 


'(55 


Aug. 


22 


'(i2 


June 5, 


'65 


Nov. 


2 


'«)1 


Nov. 5, 


'64 


Nov 


2, 


'61 


June 17, 


'(55 


Dec. 


14, 


'()4 


June 17, 


'65 


Sept 


14, 


'64 


June 5, 


'(55 


Nov. 


2, 


'61 


Nov. 24, 


'61 


Nov. 


2 


'(;i 


Nov. 23, 


'61 


Nov. 


7, 


'61 






Nov 


2 


'61 


June 17, 


'(io 


Nov 


2 


'61 


June 27, 


'(i5 


Nov 


13, 


'(U 


Oct. 11, 


'(i3 


Aug. 


20, 


'62 






Nov. 


2 


'61 


Mar. 31, 


'(i3 


Nov. 


2 


'(il 


Sept. 2, 


'62 


Nov. 


2l' 


'()1 


Mar. 21, 


'62 


Nov. 


2 


'(il 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 


2 


'(il 






Feb. 


•7 


■(i4 


.lune 17, 


'(i5 


Nov. 


2 


'(il 


Oct. 11, 


'(i3 


Nov. 


2 


'61 


Sept. 30, 


'(52 


Nov. 


15', 


'(il 


June 20, 


'62 


Nov. 


15, 


'()1 


Jan. 22, 


'(54 


Nov. 


2, 


'61 


Nov. l(i, 


'62 


( )ct. 


28, 


'()4 


June 17, 


'65 



Remarks 



Near Middletown, Va. 

Killed at Brandy Sta., Va. 

Transferred to Vet. Res. 

Corps 

* 

Killed at Cedarville, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

* 

Killed at Jones' Bridge, Va. 
Died of wounds 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. ' 
Died in Alexandria 
Killed at Berryville, \'a. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
Dropped as British subject 
Transferred to Invalid Corps 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's :Mills, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Died of wounds 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Died in New York city 

For disability 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Killed at Morton's Ford, Va. 

Missing December 31, 18(53 

For disability 

Died at Perryville, ^Id. 

Missing September 24, 1862 
« 

Killed at Brandy Sta., Va. 
Died at Antietam, Md. 

Died of disease 
For disability 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 



Naine ami Ranks Held 



Townsloy, Clinton G., Cor- 
poral, Serjeant 
Turpy, Jolin, Private 
Wachertiel<l, Thos.. Private 
Wells, Elisha P., Private 
Well^ Tlionias M., Bugler, 
Chief Bugler, 2d Lieut., 
1st Lieutenant 
"Westinghouse, Albert, Priv. 
Whallon, Robert H., Priv. 
Whitney, John, Saddler, 
Saddler Sergeant 



MustiTed ill 

Nov. 15, '()1 

Dec. 31, '64 

Aug. 5, '64 

Not given 

Nov. 16, '(il 

Aug. 21, '62 
Nov. 7, '61 

Nov. 2, '61 



Mustered out 

Mar. 15, '64 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
Aug. 20, ■()2 

June 17, '65 

Sept. 7, 'ti3 

Mar. 16, '63 



Willcox. Melbourn, Private Nov. 2, '(U Aug. 10, '64 



Willis, George N., Private 
Wills, Benj. S., Private 
Wilson, Orville D., Private, 

Regt. Com. Sergt., 1st 

Lieut, and Com. 
Wood, (Tilbert G., Private, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Wright, James, Private 
Wygant, Chas. C, Private 
Zeigler, John, Private 



Nov. 15, '61 
Jan. 6, 'ti4 



Feb. 4, '65 
June 6, '64 



Nov. 21, '61 June 17, '()5 



Aug. 19, '62 

Nov. 2, '61 
Aug. 19, '62 
Aug. (i, '62 



June 5, '65 

June 17, '65 
Dee. 1, 'ti4 
Jan. 8, '63 



313 

Remarks 

Commis'ed in other regt. 

* 

* 

Killed at BarnetfsFonLVa. 

Commis'ed in other regt. 

For disability 

Transferred to \et. Res. 

Corps 

For disability 

Died at Camp Stoaeman 



Appointed 1st Lieut, and 

Adjt. in other regt. 

* 

Died at Salisbury, N. C. 
For disability 



Total number of men in company, 165. 
Total number of men commissioned, 10. 

Company K. 



Johnson, Riley, Captain 
Wetmore, Henry A., 1st 

Lieutenant, Captain 
Goler, George W., 2d Lieut., 

1st Lieut., Captain, Major 
Ames, John P., Private 
Anderson, Samuel, Private, 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Andrews, George W., Corp. 
Andrews, Hiram E., Private 
Babcock, Benjamin, Private, 

Corporal 
Babcock, Stephen, Private 
Barry, Richard, Private 
Barzee, Charles, Private 
Barzee, James, Private 
Beardsley, Nathan B., Priv. 
Bird, Henry H., Bugler 
Brady, James, Private 
Branch, Sidney, Private 
Briggs, Lucius C, Corporal, 

Sergeant, 1st Sergeant 



Dec. 16, '61 
Nov. 20, '61 

Nov. 4, '61 

Nov. 4, '61 

Nov. 4, '61 

Nov. 4, '61 
Oct. 30, '61 

Nov. 4, '61 

Nov. 4, '61 
Oct. 25, '61 
Feb. IS, '(i3 
Feb. 14, '63 
Oct. 14, '61 
Nov. 4, '61 
Jan. 5, '65 
Nov. 4, '61 



Mar. 11, '65 
Jan. 6, '64 

June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 

Jan. 4, '65 

May 30, '64 

Dec. 24, '64 
Feb. 14, '63 



June 1^ 



'65 



June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
Jan. 6. '63 



Died at Salisbury, N. C. 

Died of woumls 
No further record 

Died at Salisbury, N. C. 

Died in Washington 

No further record 

* 

Missing September 21, 1863 
No further record 



For disability 



Nov. 4, '61 Nov. 3, '(;4 



114 



History of the 



Name and Ranks Held 

Burner, Robert, Blacksmith, >^ 
Regt. Blacksmith ^^* 

Burns, James, Private 

Burns, Patrick, Private 

Casey, Edward, Private 
Casson, James, Private 
Chambers, George, Private 
Chateautant, Louis, Private 
Christin, John, Private 
Cliff, John, Bugler 
Combs, Joseph E., Private 
Cook, Martin D., Private 
Cornwall, Wm. AV., Private 
Coyne, John, Private 
Dawson, Thomas, Private 
Dealy, William, Private 
Decker, Stephen, Private 
Delude, Joseph, Private 
Dempsey, Michael, Private, 

Corporal 
Deroch, Antoine, Private, 

Corporal 
Dewey, Eli W., Sergeant 
Dixon, William, Private 
Dove, Patrick, Priv., Corp. 
Dubied, Wilhelm, Private 
Engels, Jacol), Private 
Fane, Terrance, Blacksmith 
Farrell, Patrick, Private 
Files, Noel J., Private 
Funk, George, Priv., Corp. 
Gallager, John, Priv., Corp. 
Gallagher, Patrick, Private 
Ganetsee, John H., Private 
Gantert, Paul, Private 
Glancy, James, Priv., Corp. 
Godden, William, Private 
Gollinger, John, Priv., Corp. 
Goodnow, Cyrus S., Corporal 
Goodwin, Levi, Priv., Corp. 
Gothain, James, Private, Cor- 
poral, Sergeant 
Green, John, Private 
Harper, John, Bugler, Priv. 
Hoffman, Thos. B., Private 
Hoffman, Wm. J., Private 
Hurst, William, Private 
Johnson, Henry H. N. , Sergt. 
Johnson, Henry L., Sergt., 

2d Lieut. 
Jones, William, Private 
Kimball, Henry, Private 
King, Leopold, Private 



Mustered 


in 


:\Iustered out 


Nov. 4, 


'61 


Feb. 15, 


'65 


Dec. 8, 


'63 


Jan. 7, 


'65 


Nov. 6, 


'61 


Aug. 8, 


'62 


Oct. 21, 


'61 






Nov. 4, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 21, 


'61 


Aug' St, 1862 


Nov. 4, 


'61 






Nov. 16, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Dec. 19, 


'61 


Dec. 6, 


'62 


Nov. 4, 


'61 


Nov. 11, 


'64 


Nov. 4, 


'61 


Nov. 29, 


'61 


Jan. 11, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 4, 


'61 


Sept. 4, 


'62 


Nov. 4, 


'61 


Sept. 19, 


'64 


Dec. 28, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


Feb. 5, 


'64 


Apr. 30, 


'64 


Lee. 4, 


'61 


Oct. 3, 


'62 


Nov. 4, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 4, 


'61 


Apr. 17, 


'62 


Nov. 4, 


'til 


Oct. 7, 


'62 


Dec. 4, 


'61 


Mar. 19, 


'63 


Dec. 22, 


'63 


June 17, 


'65 


Feb. 11, 


'64 


June 23, 


'64 


Not giv 


en 


Mar. 8, 


'62 


Oct. Ki, 


'61 






Jan. 10, 


'65 






Feb. 11, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


June 23, 


'63 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 4, 


'61 


June 1 7, 


'65 


Nov. 20, 


'61 


Nov. 30, 


'62 


Jan. 11, 


'iSr, 


June 17, 


'65 


Feb. 5, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 4, 


'61 


Apr. 4, 


'65 


Feb. 12, 


'64 


June 1 7, 


'65 


Oct. 23, 


'61 


Sept. 5, 


'65 


Nov. 4, 


'61 


June 5, 


'65 


Nov. 18, 


'61 


Apr. 20, 


'64 


Nov. 4, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Oct. 24, 


'61 






Nov. 4, 


'61 






Not given 


Nov. 25, 


'62 


Not given 


Jan. 5, 


'63 


Feb. 15, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 4, 


'61 






Nov. 4, 


'61 


June 27, 


'65 


Jan. 14, 


'65 


May 11, 


'65 


Nov. 4, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Dec. 30, 


'(i4 







Remarks 



For disability 
Died at Harrison's Land- 
ing, Va. 
No further record 
* 

Died in hospital 

Missing February 8, 1864 

* 

For disability 
Died at Salisbury, N. C. 
For disability 



Died of wounds 

* 

Transferred to the Navy 
For disability 



For disability 

For disability 

For disability 

* 

Died of wounds 

By civil authority 

No further record 

Missing March, 18(55 



For disability 



For disability 
* 

At Elmira, N. Y. 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
Transferred to Navy 



No further record 

Missing March 14, 1863 

For disability 

For disability 

* 

Missing April 9, 1863 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Died at Cumberland, Md. 
* 

Missing May 24, 1865 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 



115 



Name and Ranks Held 

Larivine, Joseph, Private 
Leslin, Thomas, Sergeant 
Lyth, Wilham, Private 
Manering, Jeremiali, Private 
Mayer, James, Private 
jMcCrae, Donald, Private 
McGurk, James, Private 
McKinzie, Owen, Corporal, 

Sergeant 
Mead, Lucius C, Private 
Medcalf, William, Private 
Miller, Lewis C. J., Private 
Moore, Benjamin, Private 
Morey, Warren, Private 
Morgan, John, Private 
Morris, Joseph, Private 
Mulhall, Thos., Priv., Corp. 

Murry, Lewis, Private 

Newton, Pichard R., Private, 

Corporal 
Nixon, Orrin, Private 
OUn, Chas. M., Sergt., 1st 

Serst., 2d Lieut., 1st Lieut. 
Olssen, Wm. E., Private 
O'Rourke, Donald, Private 
Osgood, Marvin, Private 
Palmer, Wn>. H., Private 
Perrett, John, Private 
Perry, Edward H., Private 

Philpot, James, Corp., Priv. 

Porter, Thomas, Private, 

Blacksmith 
Proux, Nelson, Private 
Eea, Hugh M., Corporal 
Rea, William H., Private 
Roberts, Samuel F., Private, 

1st Sergeant 
Robinson, Wm. ]\L, Corporal, 

Private 
Ryan, John AV., Corporal 
Schaker, Christian, Private 
Scrunton, James, Private 

Shaw, Frederick, Private 

Shea, Daniel, Private 
Spearing, Charles, Private 
Stearling, John, Priv., Corp. 
Stilwell, James, Private 
Sullivan, Dennis, Private 
Swiss, Francis, i^rivate 
Vanderberg, John, Private 
Walker, Frank, Private 



Mustered in 

Oct. 29, '(il 
Nov. 4, '(U 
Nov. 4, '(;i 
Oct. 14, '61 
Jan. 5, '65 
Nov. 4, '61 
Nov. 4, '61 

Nov. 4, '61 

Dec. 4, '61 
June 3, '64 
Feb. 5, '64 
Nov. 4, '(il 
Feb. 12, '()4 
.Jan. 14, '65 
Oct. 31, '61 
Nov. 4, '61 

Dec. 19, '61 

Nov. 21, '61 

Nov. 16, '61 

Nov. 4, '61 

Dec. 17, '63 
Feb. 13, '63 
Dec. 4, '61 
Nov. 4, '61 
Feb. 9, '64 
Dec. 12, '63 

Nov. 4, '(il 

Dec. 19, '61 

Jan. 10, '65 
Nov. 4, '61 
Nov. 4, '(il 

Nov. 4, '61 

Nov. 4, '61 

Nov. 4, '(il 
Jan. 5, '65 
Nov. 4, '61 

Jan. 13, '(i5 June 17, '(35 

Oct. 26, '61 
Nov. 4, '61 
Nov. 4, '61 
Nov. 4, '(il 
Nov. 4, '61 
Nov. 4, '61 
Dec. 24, '64 
Nov. 4, '(il 



Mustered out 

Oct. 25, '64 
June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 

Jan. 31, '64 

June 12, '64 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 



Mar. 25, '64 

Oct. 20, '64 

July 28, '62 

June 28, '(j5 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
Mar. 30, '63 

July 21, '(i4 
May, 18(34 

Sept. 4, '64 

Dec. 9, '62 

June 17, '65 
Sept. 8, '62 
Aug. 27, '62 

Jiuie 27, '65 
July 21, '63 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 



Dec. 11, '62 
June 17, '(35 
Feb. 7, 'ti3 

June 17, '65 

Sept. 17, '(32 



Remarks 

No further record 
At New York city 
* 

No further record 



Died in New York city 
Died of wounds 



Missing January 1, 1863 

Missing May 24, 1865 

No further record 

Missing March 10, 18(33 

Transferred to Vet. Res. 

Corps 

For disability 

Died at Point Lookout, Md. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



For disability 

Died of wounds 

Killed at Wilderness, Va. 

Mortally wounded at Ber- 

ryville, Va. 

For disability 

* 

For disability 
Died at Philadelphia 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
For disability 



* His real name was Fred- 
erick Knights 
No further record 
For disability 

For disability 

No further record 

* 

Missing February 28, 1865 
For disability 



!16 



History of the 



Name and Ranks Held 

Wallace, Henry W., Private 
Warner, Roswell H., Private 
Watson, Thomas. Priv.,Corp. 
Way, Joseph D., Private 
Weatherston, Walter S., Pri- 
vate, Corporal, Sergeant 
AVells, .lames, Private, Cor- 
poral, Sergeant 
Wells, William, Private 
^Veston, .1. Newcomb, 1st 
Sergt., Sergt. Major, 1st 
Lieut., Capt. 
Wetmore, Louis, Private, 2d 

Lieutenant 
Wheeler, Cummings, Private, 

Corporal 
Whitcomb, Warren, Private 
Willson, Wm. H., Private 



Mustered in 

Dec. 4, '<il 
Nov. 4', '61 
Nov. 4, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 

Nov. 19, '61 

Nov. 4, '61 
Feb. 12, '64 

Nov. 4, '61 



Nov. 4, '61 

Nov. 4, '61 

Dec. 4, '61 
Feb. 17, '(14 



Mustered out 

Apr. 17, '62 
June 17, '65 



.June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 
Ai;g. 15, '6.3 

June 17. '65 

Apr. 17, '62 
Jan. IS, '65 



Remarks 

For disability 
* 

Missing June 1, 1863 
No further record 



For disability 
Died at Baltimore, Md. 



Total number of men in company, 119. 
Total number of men commissioned, 4. 



Smith, John L., Captain 
White, Harrison, 1st Lieut., 

Capt., Major, Lt.-col. 
Parke, Wm. A., 2d Lieut., 

1st Lieut. 
Abbe, Merric L., Private 
Ampleford, Stephen, Private 
Anderson, Theodore, Private 
At well, Peter, Private 
Bell, William, Priv., Sergt. 
Bennett. Willson, Bugler 
Best, Thomas, Private 
Biggins, Patrick, Private 
Blake, Christopher, Private 
Bonner, Francis, Private 
Braymond, Geo. D.C., Priv. 
Britton, Benj. W., Private, 

Sergeant 
Brooks, Reuben, Private 
Brown, John J., Private 
Brown, Michael, Private 
Brundage, Nicholas C, Priv., 

Sergeant 
Buell, Napoleon H., Private 
Bulling, Henry, Private 
Burns, James, Private 
Burns, .John, Private 
Burns, Thomas, Private 



Company L. 

Nov. 9, '61 ()ct. 30, '62 
Nov. 9, '61 June 17, '(i5 



Nov. 9, 


'61 


Apr. 22, 


'()4 


Feb. 10, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


Aug. 9, 


'62 






Sept. 13, 


'62 






Nov. 6, 


'(il 






Oct. 24, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 16, 


'61 






Nov. 9, 


'61 


]Mar. 7, 


'62 


Feb. 13, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


Oct. 22, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Oct. 30, 


'(U 






Oct. 22, 


'61 


Nov. 26, 


'61 


Nov. 8, 


'61 


June 27, 


'()5 


Nov. 12, 


'(il 






Nov. 13, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Oct. 31, 


'(d 


July 3, 


'62 


Oct. 11, 


■(d 


June 17, 


'65 


Jan. 25, 


'64 


June 17, 


't)5 


Sept. 15, 


'(i4 


June 8, 


'65 


Oct. 17, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


Mar. 8, 


'(i4 


June 17, 


'65 


Nov. 11, 


'(U 


Jan. 4, 


'63 



No further record 
No further record 



No further record 
Died at Perryville, M( 



Missing June 13, '62 
By civil authority 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

No further record 
* 

For disability 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

■X- 

* 

For disal>ility 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 



317 



Name and Riinks Held 

Cannon, Thos. M., Private, 

Corporal 
Carley, Frederick, Private 
Conlin, John, Private 
Conshe, John, Private 
Cooke, Anson B., Private 
Cooper, Levi C, Bugler 

Cross, Patrick, Private 

Cuthill, Henry C, Private 
Davids, Chas. II., Private 
Davis, Frederick, Priv., Corp. 
Denker, Richard R., IstSergt., 

2d Lieut. 
Demarest, Thos. G., Private, 

Corporal 
Devine, Thomas, Private 
Dudley, Thomas, Private 
Dutt'y, Patrick, Private 
Emery, Benjamin F., Corp., 

Priv. 
Emery, Leonard, Priv. , Sergt. 
Evans, Evan L., Private 
Ficken, Christopher, Corporal, 

Sergeant 
Ficken, Martin, Priv.. Sergt. 
Foster, John J., Private 
Foster, Robert, Private 
Foy, John, Private 
Frick, Henry, Private 
Gallagher, Patrick, Private 
Gallagher, Patrick, 2d, Priv. 
George, Peter, Private 
Gibson, Cornelius, Private 
Gilmore, James, Private 
Glasier, John B., Private 
Gould, James. Private 
Hackett, ^Martin, Private 
Hackett, Tliomas, Private 
Hall, Edward, Priv., Corp., 

Sergt. 
Hartield, Charles, Private 
Harrison, Geo. W., Corp., 

Priv. 
Hill, Isaiah L. , Private 
Hodgdon, Chas. A., Private 
Hott'man. Joseph, Private 
Hopper, John, Sergeant 
Howard, Henry, Private 
Hurst. James A., Private 
Ibbs. Charles, Private 
Johnson, John, Hindoo Ser- 
vant 
Jones, Nicholas, Private 



Mustered in 

Nov. 2, '(>] 

Oct. 11, '61 
Jan. 29, '64 
Oct. 17, '61 
Oct. 24, '61 
Oct. 16, '61 

Nov. 24, '61 

Oct. 25, '61 
Oct. 11, '61 
Nov. 24, '61 

Oct. 28, '61 

Nov. 2, '61 

Oct. 26, '61 
Oct. 28, '(il 
Oct. 28, '(U 

Oct. 11, '61 

11, '61 
.27. '()4 



Mustered out 



June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
Aug. 22, '64 

Oct. 25, '62 



July 18, '63 
June 27, '65 



Oct. :>1, '64 
June 27, '65 



Remarks 



Oct. 
Apr.! 

Oct. 25, '<)1 Oct. lit. '64 



Oct. 
Nov. 
Feb. 
Mar 
Jan. 
Oct. 
Jan. 
not 
Oct. 
Nov 
Nov. 
Nov, 
Oct. 
Oct. 



11, '61 

7, '61 

22, 'M 
3, '64 

12, '65 
28, '61 
12, '65 
given 
18, '61 

. 8, '61 
16, '61 

8, '61 

23, '61 
22, '(il 



June 27, '65 
June 17, '65 
July 19, '65 



July 25, '65 

Feb. 23, '63 

June 17, '65 
June 27, '65 



Mar. 22, '64 
Nov. 24, '61 



Nov. 12, '61 June 17, '64 



Nov. 7, '61 
Nov. 9, '61 
Oct. 11, '61 
Nov. 8, '61 
Dec. 6, '61 
Oct. 30, '61 
Mar.22, '64 

Oct. 23, '61 

Jan. 6, '65 



Oct. 27, '62 
Oct. 25, '62 
Mar. 7, '63 

Sept. 1, '62 

May 31, '65 
Jan. 17, '62 



Missing May 7, '62 



Transferred to Reserve Corps 

Transferred to 4th U. S. 

Cavalry 

Missing Dec, 1861 
Missing June 13, '62 



At Cloud's :Mills, Va. 

Missing June 1.'*), '62 

At Middletown, Va. 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
No further record 

Died of wounds 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

For wounds ^ 
Missing August, 1864 
Missing Feb. 15, '65 

:\Iissing March, 1865 
For disability 

Missing June 13, '62 
For disability 



At Cloud's Mill's, Va. 

For disability 

Transferred to 4th U.S.Cav, 

For disability 

For disability 

Missing Dec. 1, '64 

By civil authority 

At Philadelphia 

For disability 

Missing March, 1865 



318 



History of the 



Name and Ranks Held 

Jones, "Wm. H., Private 
Kerrigan, Edward, Corporal 
Kennedy, James, Private 
Kipp, Rufus, Corporal 
Knock, Charles, Private 
Koster, Albert B., Private 
Leahy, Wm. P. , Priv. , Saddler 
Lewiston, Max, Private 
Lindsley, John, Private 
Lohnes, Alonzo, Priv. , Sergt. 
Maddock, Thomas, Private 
Manley, Jerome, Sergeant, 

1st Lieutenant 
McCauley, Thomas, Private 
McGrogan, Edward, Private 
McGuire, James, Corp., Priv. 
Mcllvain, David, Private 
McKeon, Peter, Private 
McKnight, Mortimer, Private 
McMahon, John, Private 
Mills, John H., Priv., 1st 

Sergeant 
Mims, John, Private 
Mitchell, Frederick, Priv., 

Saddler 
Mullen, James, Private 
Muri:thy, John, Private 
Murphy, ^lichael J., Private 
jSTeff, Aaron, Private 
Nolen, James, Corporal 
Norris, William, Priv., Corp., 
Nugent, Hugh, Saddler, Regt. 

Saddler, Private 
O'Brien, Edward, Private 
Packard, Lyman, Corp. , Priv. 
Peck, Hiram A. , Sergt. , Priv. 
Phabe, IMichael, Private 
Porter, Claudius, Private 
Potter, ]\Ielvin H., Private, 

Corporal 
Reeder, James, Private 
Regan, Thomas, Private 
Robinson, Reuben, Private 
Sandford, Benjamin, Private 
Sandford, William, Private 
Sawtelle, Henry K., Private 
Shepard, W^illiam, Private 
Simpson, Wm., Priv., Corp. 
Slater, Samuel H., Private 
Smith, Edward, Private 
Smith, John, Private 
Smitli, William, Priv., Corp. 
Sommers, John, Private 
Stark, Alexander, Private 



Mustered in 


Mustered out 


Remarks 


Nov. 24, 


'61 


Feb. 16, 


'63 


For disability 


Oct. 29, 


'61 






Missing June 13, '62 


Nov. 9, 


'61 






Missing Sept. 2, '62 


Nov. 9, 


'61 


April 1, 


'62 


Died in hospital 


Jan. 7, 


'65 






Missing March, 1865 


Oct. 25, 


'61 








Oct. 22, 


'61 


June 20, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Oct. 17, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 23, 


'64 


May 24, 


'65 




Nov. 9, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Nov. 5, 


'61 








Oct. 11, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 31, 


'61 


May 9, 


'62 


By civil authority 


Nov. 24, 


'61 


June 27, 


'62 


For disability 


Oct. 26, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Feb. 13, 


'64 


Dec. 5, 


'64 


Died in New York 


Feb. 5, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 19, 


'61 






Missing June 13, '62 


Oct. 22, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Dec. 6, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. (>, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 11, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Nov. 7, 


'61 








Nov. 1, 


'61 


Nov. 28, 


'63 


Transferred to Invalid Corps { 


Nov. 24, 


'61 








not given 








Oct. 16, 


'61 


April 29, 


'62 


For disability 


Feb. 4, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 22, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Feb. S, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 17, 


'61 


Jan. 23, 


'65 


Died at Salisbury, N. C. 


Oct. 28, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 28, 


'61 


Oct. 26, 


'64 




Oct. 19, 


'61 






Missing June 13, '62 


Oct, 22, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


• 


Nov. 4, 


'61 






Missing June 13, '62 


Oct. IG, 


'61 








Au^-. (3, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct: 29, 


'61 


Mar. 27, 


'63 


For disability 


Oct. 29, 


'61 






Missing March, 1865 


Oct. 11, 


'61 


Mar. 8, 


'64 


Died at Culpeper, Va. 


Oct. 29, 


'61 


Oct. 31, 


'64 




Feb. 1, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Mar. 15, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Feb. 5, 


'64 


April 26, 


'iSb 


Drowned in N. Y. Harbor 


Jan. 7, 


'6"' 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Mar. 22, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. (), 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 5, 


'63 


June 17, 


'e,b 


* 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 



319 



Name and Ranks Held 

Swan, Thomas W., Private 
Traynor, Thomas, Farrier 
Tritis, Stephen, Private 
Volkart, Jacob, Private 
Voorheese, Henry S., Serj^t. 
Walker, James, Private 
Walsh, :Matthew, Private 
"Ward, Stephen, Private 
Welsh, Samnel, Private 
White, Georse, Sergeant 
Whittaker, Fred'k, Private, 

Corp. , Sergt. , 2d Lieut. 
Wood, Augustus H. , Private, 

Sergeant 
Wood, Edgar, I'rivate 



Mustered in Mustered out 

Jan. 5, '(!4 June 17, '()5 

Oct. 22, '(il Oct. 'M, '(i4 

Oct. 26, '<il Jun(>17, '65 

Jan. 6, '65 June 17, '65 

Oct. 17, '61 Oct. 31, '64 

Jan. 4, '64 June 27, '65 

Nov.27, '63 June 17, '(>5 

Jan. (), '65 June 17, '(55 
Oct. 30, '61 
Oct. 22, '61 

Nov. 11, '(il June 17, '65 

Oct. l(i, '61 June 17, '65 

Jan. 1, '64 June 17, '65 



Remarks 



At Jliddletown, Va. 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 



Missing Oct. 5, '62 



Total number of men in company, 128. 
Total number of men commissioned, 3. 



Company M. 



Van Buren, Geo. M.,Capt., 

Major 
Heermance, AVm. L., 1st 

Lieut., Captain 
Everts, Chas. A., 2d Lieut., 

1st Lieut., Captain 
Adams, Thos. B., Sergt., 1st 

Sergt., 1st Lieut. 
Ashley, David C, Sergeant, 

Sergeant INIajor 
Ashley, Wui. li., Priv., Ser- 
geant, 1st Sergt., 2d Lieut. 
Atwell, Theodore, Sergeant 
Baines, Thos. H., Private 
Baldwin, Robert, Private 
Bassett, George, Private 
Benedict, Frank, Private 
Blunt, John W., Sergt., 2d 

Lieut., 1st Lieut., Captain 
Blunt, Joseph, Sergeant, 2d 

Lieutenant 
Bock, Henry, Private 
Boether, Gustave, Private 
Bortle, Philip, Private 
Boyce, R.. Private 
Braman, Joseph B., Private 
Brooks, Gilbert C. , Corporal 
Bruce, James H. , Priv. , Sergt. 
BuUes, George L. , Priv. , AVag. 
Burgfels, John J., Private 
Bushnell, Geo. H., Private 
Campbell, Henry A., Private 



Nov. 28, 


'61 


Mar. 1(), 


'65 




Oct. 17, 


'61 


Oct. 21, 


'64 




Dec. 5, 


'61 


Dec. 22, 


'64 


At Winchester, \'a. 


Nov. 16, 


'61 


June 28 , 


'(>5 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Oct. 4, 


'61 


July 16, 


'62 


For disability 


Oct. 2, 


'61 


June 17, 


'(35 


TT 


Oct. 23, 


'61 


July 20, 


'64 


Died at Andersonville, Ga. 


Nov.21, 


'61 


Jan. 23, 


'(V2 


Died 


Dec. 12, 


'63 


June 17, 


'(i5 


* 


Oct. 25, 


'61 


Nov. 9, 


'62 


For disability 


Nov. 6, 


'61 








Oct. 19, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 17, 


'(il 


Feb. 4, 


'63 




Dec. 8, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


May 13, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 4, 


'64 


June 17, 


'(55 


* 


Not given 


June 30, 


'64 


Died at Andersonville, Ga 


Oct. 25, 


'61 


Nov. 4, 


'61 


By order of court 


Oct. 2, 


'61 


June 17, 


'(35 


* 


Oct. 30, 


'61 


June 27, 


'65 


At Cloud's INIills, Va. 


Oct. 2, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Nov.21, 


'61 








Dec. 16, 


'61 








Jan. 30, 


'(54 


Jan. 18, 


'65 


Killed near Lovettsville, Ga 



320 



History of the 



Name and Ranks Held 

Carpenter, Horatio N. , Priv. 
Carpenter, James P., Priv., 

Corporal, Sergeant 
Childs, William, Corporal 
Clapp, William, Corp., Priv. 
Coffin, Job B., Farrier and 

Blacksmith 
Collier, Isaac A., Corporal 
Conklin, Jeflt'erson, Private 
Conklin, William, Private 
Converse, Henry W., Priv., 

Corp., Sergt. , 1st Sergt. 
Coons, George, Private 
Coons, James H., Private 
Courts, Benjamin, Priv. ,Wag. 
Courts, Rudolphus, Private 
Cox, Augustus. Private 
Cox, James P., Corp., Sergt. 
Crabb, Wm. E., Private 
Crame, Robert E., Private 
Crissey, Cyrus H . , Priv. , Sergt. 
Davis, James H. , Private 
Deedrick, Isaac, Private 
Desmar, Henry F. , Pri\'ate 
Dickinson, Solomon, Private 
Dykeman, Jefferson, Private 
Englishman, Chas., Private 
Fairchild, Eli B., Corporal 
Fifer, John, Private 
Frier, Alexander, Corporal 
Gilleo, Nicholas, Private 
Gilleo, Peter, Priv., Corp. 
Glenn, Thos. W., Private 
Goldstein, Hiram P., Private 
Gordon, Thos., Private 
Gruelling, Henry, Priv. , Corp. 
Ham, Henry, Private 
Ham, Morris. Private 
Hang, Felix, Private 
Hanna, John, Private 
Havey, John, Private 
Hay den, Cornelius, Priv. , Wag. 
Hill, Benjamin, Private 
Hill, George, Private 
Holdridge, David, Private 
Holdridge, Edgar P., Private 
HoUister, Erastus, Priv. , Sergt. 
Hollister, Seth W., Private 
Hubbel, Lambert I., Private 
Jewell, John B., Private 
Jones, Chas. S. , Private 
Jones, Henry L. , Private 
Kiernan, Thos. H., Private 
Kellar, Conrad, Private 



>IusterL'( 


in 


Mustered out 


Remarks 


Oct. 2, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. ]7, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 30, 


'61 


June 23, 


'62 


For disability 


Oct. 2, 


'61 


Nov. 22, 


'64 


At Kearneystown, Va. 


Oct. 25, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 17, 


'61 


June 14, 


'65 


At Annapolis, Md. 


Oct. 23, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 23, 


'61 


Jan. 21, 


'65 


Died at Danville, Va. 


Oct. 25, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Xov. 1, 


'61 


Feb. 24, 


'62 


For disability 


Nov. 25, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Nov. 21, 


'61 


Dec. 20, 


'62 


For disability 


Nov. 14, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Nov. 9, 


'61 








Aug. 18, 


'62 


June 5, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. \ 


Sept. 19, 


'64 


June 11, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Feb. 5, 


'64 






No further record 


Oct. 25, 


'61 


June 13, 


'65 


For wounds 


Oct. 4, 


'61 


Nov. 5, 


'64 




Feb. 2, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 18, 


'62 


Jan. 12, 


'63 


For disability 


Nov. 2, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 1 


Nov. 9, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


1 


Jan. 7, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 23, 


'61 


Aug. 14, 


'62 


Killed on picket 


Sept. 8, 


'62 






Missing May 5, '63 


Oct. 2, 


'61 


Oct. 9, 


'62 


For disability 


Mar. 1, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 23, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Feb. 24, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


« 


Aug. 20, 


'64 


June 11, 


'65 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Jan. 7, 


'(i5 






Missing Feb. 1, '65 


Oct. 30, 


'61 






Trans, to \tt. Res. Corps 


Jan. 29, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Mar. 29, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 6, 


'65 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Nov. 25, 


'61 


April! 9, 


'62 




Nov. 18, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Dec. 5, 


'61 


June 27, 


'iSr) 


At Cloud's Mills, Va. 


Oct. 17, 


'61 








Jan. 25, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Oct. 23, 


'61 








Nov. 1, 


'61 








Dec. 3, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


July 25, 


'62 








Nov. 9, 


'61 


June 24, 


"62 


For disability 


Nov. 25, 


'61 


Oct. 11, 


'63 


Killed at Brandy Station , Va. 


Nov. 21, 


'61 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 19, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Jan. 28, 


'64 


June 17, 


'65 


* 


Sept. 20, 


'62 


June 15, 


'64 


Died of wounds 



Sixth New York Cavalnj. 



321 



'61 
'64 
'62 
'61 
'61 
'62 
'61 
'61 
'62 
'6o 
'64 
'65 

'64 

'62 
'61 
'62 
'61 
'61 

'61 



Xanie and Ranks Ileld Mustered in 

Kelly, Patrick, Private Oct. 17 

Kelly, Will. I)., Private Jan. 22 

Kipt'er, John, Private Mar.l 

Leach, Thos., Private Oct. 23 

Link, Abram W., Private Nov. 21 

Lydon, Daniel, Private Sept. 8 

Marsh, Chan. A., Private Nov. 21 

Martin, William, Priv., Corp. Oct. 2 

Mason, Frank A.. Private Sept. 6 

McCagg, Peter H., Private Dec. 16 

]\IcCann, Henry, Corporal Jan. 7 

McDermott, John, Private Jan. 7 

McGuirk, Frank, Private Oct. 24 

McKevitt, Hugh, Private Aug. 7 

Miller, Chas. H.,Priv., Sergt. Oct. 2 

Miller, Nicholas, Private " Sept. 10 

Minkler, Theodore, Priv., Cor. Oct. 30 

Morrison, John J., Private Oct. 4 

Murgitroyd, Wni. H., Priv., t^j , 

Corporal ^^"''- ^ 
Murray, Jas. W., Private 
Nealing, John, Private 
New, Abner A., Private 
Neylon, John, Private 
Peak, George W., Private 
Pierson, James E., Private 
Plant, James, Priv., Corp. 
Proper, Levi C. , Private 
Proper, James H., Private 
Pultz, Monteltion, Private 
Kace, William H., Private 
Richards, Brandon, Private 
Richelieu. Dominick, Bugler 
Rigney, Edward, Private 
Riley, John, Private 
Robertson, John J., Private 

Rodgers, George M., Private, -pj , 

Corporal, 2d Lieutenant 

Rosbero, Robert, Corp. , Sergt. Oct. 2 

Rourke, Edward, Private Aug. 14 

Scriber, Benj., Private Nov. 25 

Sitzer, Ambrose. Bugler Nov. 14 

Sliter, William, Private Oct. 2 

Smith, Henry P., Private Feb. 1 

Smith, James W., Private Apr. 6 

Snyder, Michael, Private Sept. 8 

Staats, Abraham M., Private Jan. 22 

Starks, Joseph B., Private, p. . . 

Corporal, Bugler ^^^- ^ 

Steinback, Michael, Private Feb. 1 

Stern, Moses, Private Apr. 18 

Stevens, Wm. H., Private Oct. 23 

Stolicker, Abram J., Private Nov. 21 
21 



Mustered out 



Jan. 4 
June 17 
Dec. 10 
Dec. 16 
Oct. 14 
June 5 

April 29 

June 17 
June 27 
June 17 

June 17 

June 5 
June 27 
June 5 
June 23 
Mar. 12 

July 14 

June 1 



'64 
'65 
'62 
'62 
'62 
'65 

'63 

'65 
'65 
'65 

'65 

'65 
'65 
'65 
'64 
'65 

'62 

'65 



Mar. 2, '64 
June 4, '64 

Nov. 6, '61 June 17, '65 
Mar. 24, '"64 June 17, '65 
Jan. 15, '64 June 17, '65 
Jan. 14, '64 June 17, '65 
Nov. 9, '61 Jan. 22, '63 
Nov. 6, '61 
Nov. 6, '61 
Nov. 6, '61 

Not given Aprill9, '62 
Nov. 25, '61 

Nov. 14, '61 Oct. 1, '62 
Dec. 24, '61 Mar. 9, '63 
Dec. 16, '63 June 17, '65 
Dec. 11, '63 June 17, '65 



'61 

'61 
'62 
'61 
'61 
'61 
'64 
'62 
'62 
'64 

'61 

'64 
'64 
'61 
'61 



Mar. 28, '65 
June 17, '65 



Feb. 24, '62 

not given 
June 17, '65 
June (), '65 
May 21, '65 
June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 

Oct. 9, '64 
June 17, '65 
Feb. 20, '63 
June 17, '65 



Hemarks 

For disability 

* 

For disability 

For disability 

For disability 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Killed at SpottsylvaniaC.H. 

No further record 

* 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
■Si- 
Enlisted under the name of 
John F. Boyle 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
At Cloud's Mills, ^'a. 
At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
Killed at Jones' Bridge, Va. 
Died at Richmond, \a. 

For disability 
Missing October, 1864 



For disability 



For disability 

For disability 
For disability 



* Enlisted as Geo. Moore, 
Com. as Geo. M. Rodgers 

Missing Dec. 10, '62 

For disability 

Transferred to Reserve Corps 

* 

At Cloud's Mills, Va. 
For disability 



Died in hospital 
For disability 



322 



Name and Ranks Held 

Stolicker, James E. , Private 
Stickland, Henry, Private 
Sturgis, Geo. W., Private 
Svi^an, Jacob, Private 
Taylor, Francis, Private 
Thomas, George H., Private 
Tiftany, Miles, Private 
Tomlinson, Cyrus B., Private 
Van Hoesen, Wm. H., Corp. 
Van Hoesen, Chas. E., Pri- 
vate, Corporal 
Van Volkenburgh, M. H., 

Private 
Wadley, Fred'k J., Private, 

Sergeant 
Ware, George W. , Private 
Waters, John, Private 
Welch, Richard, Private 
Wellington, Benj. F. , Private 
Whitbeck, Sani'l N. , Private, 

Corporal, Sergt. 
Whitbeck, Jeremiah, Private 
Winans, James, Private 
Winchell, Norman, Private 
Winslow, George, Priv. , Corp. 
Wood, Chas. H., Private 
Woolsey, George A. , Private 



History of the 



Mustered in 

Nov. 21, '61 
Sept. 8, '62 
Aug. 20, '62 
Mar.l5, '64 
Nov. 19, '61 
Oct. 30, '61 
Oct. 17, '61 
Oct. 30, '61 
Oct. 2, '61 

Not given 
Oct. 30, '61 

Sept. 15, '62 

Sept. 15, '62 
Jan. 7, '65 
Oct. 2, '61 
Oct. 2, '61 

Jan. 18, '64 

Nov. 21, '61 
Oct. 17, '61 
Nov. 6, '61 
Oct. 2, '61 
Oct. 4, '61 
Sept. 15, '64 



Mu.stered out 

June 17, '65 
June 9, '65 
June 5, '65 
Oct. 25, '64 



June 17, '65 
Dec. 22, '62 
Oct. 24, '64 

April 1, '63 

June 17, '65 

June 5, '65 
April 22, '64 

June 17, '65 

June 17, '75 

Jan. 23, '63 
June 17, '65 

June 17, '65 
June 17, '65 
June 5, '65 



Remarks 

* 

For disability 
At Cloud's Mills, Vu. 
Trans, to 100th N. Y. 



For disability 
At Cedar Creek, \i\. 



At Cloud's Mills, Va. 

Died in Washington 
No further record 



For disability 



At Cloud's Mills, \a. 



Total number of men in company, 145. 
Total number of men commissioned, 5. 



Enlisted Men (Privates) Unassigned to Company. 

The remarks opposite these names, in the Adjutant-general's 
report, State of New York, are so varied that to classify them in 
separate tables would take up too many pages. To put them in 
one table and give a descriptive account of each would take too 
much time and labor, so they are entered under the heading of no 
further record (n. f. r.), with the exception of a few who, it will 
be seen, are worthy of further remarks. 



Name 



Allen, James, 
Ance, Benjamin, 
August, Solomon, 
Avery, Daniel W., 
Baker, John, 



Mustered in 

Jan. 7, '65 
Not given 
Jan. C, '65 
Jan. 7, '64 
Dec. 26, '62 



Mustered out 

Feb. ], '65 



Remarks 
Died in hospital 

n. f. r. 
n. f. r. 
n. f. r. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 



523 



Name 


Mustered in 


Mustered out 


Remarks 


Baker, John G., 


Jan. 21, 


'63 






n. f. r. 


Barnum, Henry, 


July 14 


'62 






n. f. r. 


Barrett, William, 


Mar. 19, 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Bartholomew, Wm. W., 


Feb. 19 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Baxter, John 


Dec. 24 


'62 








Berger, Peter, 


Nov. 10 


'62 






n. f. r. 


Bering, Wm. H., 


Nov. 1 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Bowers, George, 


Mar. 17, 


'65 






n. f. r. 


Bowers, Robert W., 


Apr. 15 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Bowman, Albert, 


May 19, 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Boyan, David, 


Oct. 24 


'()4 






n. f. r. 


Boyd, John 


Nov. 13 


•()2 


May 24, 


'65 


At Albany, N. Y. 


Bradley, Dallas, 


Aug. 9 


'64 


Mar. 28, 


'65 


For disability 


Brown, George C, 


Jan. 1() 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Burck, Henry, 


Dec. 26 


'62 






n. f. r. 


Burder, Peter, 


Aug. 31 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Burlingham, Calvin, 


July 14 


'62 






n. f. r. 


Burrell, Robert L., 


Aug. 15 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Carney, Thomas, 


Mar. 18 


'65 






n. f. r. 


Carson, Francis A.. 


Aug. 1 


'62 






n. f. r. 


Ciroux, Charles, 


Nov. 10 


'62 






n. f. r. 


Clines, Michael, 


Nov. 11 


'62 






n. f. r. 


Cochrane, William, 


Nov. 3 


'62 


Dec. 27, 


'62 


Died in hospital 


Cole, William, 


Apr. 18 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Collins, Robert, 


Sept. 10 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Cone, William W., 


Aug. 31 


'()4 


May 8, 


'65 


At Hart's Island, N. Y 


Conners, Edward, 


Dec. 22 


'62 






n. f. r. 


Corning, Archibald, 


Dec. 30 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Creed, Thomas, 


Dec. 8 


'62 






n. f. r. 


Crenion, William, 


Sept. 24, 


'62 






n. f. r. 


Croghan, John, 


Dec. 22 


'63 






n. f. r. 


Crummel, John, 


Jan. 5, 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Cunningham. Charles. 


Nov. 25 


'62 






n. f. r. 


Davis, Lewis R., 


Nov. 21 


'62 






n. f. r. 


Deming, James, 


Jan. IS, 


'64 


Feb. 25, 


'64 


Died of disease 


Doty, Chauncey E., 


July 28 


'62 






n. f. r. 


Duffy, John, 


Oct. 11, 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Dunner, Timothy, 










n. f. r. 


Dwyer, Patrick, 


Dec. 11, 


'62 






n. f. r. 


Eaton, George, 


Dec. 22 


'62 






n. f. r. 


Eddo. Abram P. . 


Feb. 13 


'64 


^lar. S, 


'65 


At Hart's Island, N. Y 


Elliott, Adam, 


Feb. 24 


'64 


June 3, 


'65 


At Washington, D. C. 


Emmerly, John, 


Jan. 21 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Engels, Peter, 


Jan. 7 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Farley, John, 


Jan. 30 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Farrell, John, 










n. f. r. 


Feeney, Hugh C, 


Sept. 20 


'62 






n. f. r. 


Ferreira, Jose Da S. 'SI., 


Feb. 24 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Foster, Edwin, 


Mar. 5 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Frace, William, 


Sept. 9 


'(>4 






n. f. r. 


Franck, Julius, 


Mar. 12 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Franck, AVilliam, 


Aug. 8 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Freeman, Henry, 


Oct. 19 


'64 






n. f. r. 


Furlong, Charles, 


Nov. 


'62 






n. f. r. 



324 



History of the 



Name 

Gardner, Martin B., 
Goodrich, Lafayette, 
Green, James, 
Haggerty, Patrick M., 
Hall, George, 
Hamilton, Alexander, 
Hamilton, Charles, 
Hammond, Joseph W. 
Hayes, Peter, 
Heintzelman, Jacob, 
Henry, Lewis, 
Hodges, George H., 
Jackson, John, 
Jennings, William, 
Johnson, James, 
Johnson, John, 
Jones, William, 
Keagan, Edward, 
Keeley, Patrick, 
Keenan, John, 
Kelley, James, 
Kelley, John, 
Kellison, Samuel 0., 
Kelly, John, 
Klein, John, 
Korwin, John, 
Krutch, John C, 
Lewis, John, 
Lewis, William 
Loomis, John H., 
Lynch, James, 
Maglory, Patrick, 
Marks, David, 
Marks, Patrick, 
Marlin, Arthur, 
Martin, Thomas, 
McBride, Chas. L. , 
McCabe, Francis, 
McCall, Francis, 
McCarry, Cornelius, 
McDermott, Terrence, 
McDonald, Angus, 
McHugh, Michael, 
McNall, James, 
McNally, John, 
McVanny, James, 
Meyer, Charles, 
Miller, Henry, 
Miller, Jacob, 
Miller, John, 
Mills, Edward, 
Miner, George, 
Moore, Albert M. , 
Moore, John, 



Mustered in 


Mustered 


out 


Remarks 


Nov.2(i, '62 






n. f. r. 


Jan. 30, '64 






n. f. r. 


Mar. 11, '64 






n. f. r. 


Nov. 14, '62 






n. f. r. 


Jan. 26, '64 






n. f. r. 


Feb. 2, '64 






n. f. r. 


Nov. 3, '62 






n. f. r. 


Nov. 26, '62 






n. f. r. 


Jan. 6, '64 






n. f. r. 


Aug. 15, '64 






n. f. r. 


Sept. 23, '62 






n. f. r. 1 


Not given 


Feb. 1, 


'63 


For disability j 


Feb. 2, '64 






n. f. r. i 


Jan. 20, '64 






n. f. r. 


Nov. 26, '62 






n. f. r. ! 


Nov. 17, '62 






n. f. r. ! 
n. f. r. 


Dec. 1, '62 






n. f. r. 


Dec. 31, '64 






n. f. r. 


Aug. 21, '62 






n. f. r. 


Jan. 12, '63 






n. f. r. 


Nov. 8, '62 






n. f. r. ; 


Jan. 27, '64 


Mar. 23, 


'64 


Died of disease 


Not given 








Dec. "7, '(i3 


May 4, 


'64 


For disability 


Mar. 16, '()5 






n. f. r. 


Nov. 12, '62 






n. f. r. 


Nov. 26, '62 






n. f. r. 


Nov. 26, '62 






n. f. r. 


Nov. 5, '62 






n. f. r. ; 


Dec. 9, '63 






n. f. r. 


Nov. 15, '62 






n. f. r. 


Nov. 10, '62 






n. f. r. 


Oct. 11, '64 






n. f. r. 


Not given 






n. f. r. 


Jan. 12, '63 






n. f. r. 


Mar. 3, '64 






n. f. r. 


Feb. 3, '64 






n. f. r. 


Apr. 11, '64 






n. f. r. 


Sept. 17, '64 






n. f. r. 


Not given 


Nov. 28, 


'63 


Transferred to Invalid Corpst 


Jan. 14, '63 






n. f. r. 


Sept. 13, '62 






n. f. r. 


Jan. 11, '65 






n. f. r. 


Oct. 3, '64 






n. f. r. 


Dec. 10, '63 


Mar. 30, 


'{"^ 


For disability 


Dec. 7, '63 






n. f. r. 


May 13, '64 






n. f. r. 


Apr. 9, '64 






n. f. r. 


Jan. 19, '64 






n. f. r. 


Sept. 17, '62 






n. f. r. 


Oct. 24, '61 








Jan. 26, '64 






n. f. r. 


Mar. 23, '(H 






n. f. r. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 



.325 



Name 


Mustered in 


Mustered out 


Remarks 


Moore, John James, 


Sept. 17, '64 




n. 


f. 


r. 


Moore, Peter, 


Dec. 16, '63 










Morris, Ham, 


Mar. 29, '64 




n. 


f. 


r. 


Nagle, Kicliard, 


Jan. 23, '63 




n. 


f. 


r. 


Nelson, Henry, 


Oct. 4, '64 




n. 


f. 


r. 


Nephew, Robert, 


Not given 


Jan. 15, '()3 


For disability 


Niemaier, Ernest, 


Jan'y, 1S65 


July. 1S()5 








O'Neil, Michael, 


Jan. 12, '63 




n. 


f. 


r. 


Packer, James, 


Sept. 8, '64 




n. 


f. 


r. 


Perkins, Hiram, 


Dec. 27, '64 




n. 


f. 


r. 


Perrin, Euj^ene I)., 


Not given 


Ai)r. 27, '63 


For disability 


Pickard, Leander A., 


Sept. 14, '64 




n. 


f. 


r. 


Pierson, Joseph P., 


Sept. 20, '62 




n. 


f. 


r. 


Pike, Frederick J., 


Jan. 25, '64 




n. 


f. 


r. 


Piiltz, John, 


Jan. 19, '64 


Oct. 27, '()4 


Died of disease 


Kichardson, (jeorjje. 


Jan. 25, '65 




n. 




r. 


Risson, Louis, 


Nov. 10, '(i2 




n. 




r. 


Rodgers, Samuel, 


Dec. 12, '62 




n. 




r. 


Rotzel, Frederick, 


Mar. 16, '64 




n. 




r. 


Royce, Henry, 


Nov. 22, '62 




n. 




r. 


Ryan, James, 


Apr. 18, '64 




n. 




r. 


Scaflfer, Samuel, 


Sept. 15, '62 




n. 




r. 


Scott, Isaac, 


Oct. 29, '64 




n. 




r. 


Shay, Peter, 


Jan. 14, '63 




n. 




r. 


Shuman, John, 


Jan. 25, '63 




n. 




r. 


Simmons, George, 


Oct. 29, '64 




n. 




r. 


Simonis, E. L., 


Jan. 19, '64 




n. 




r. 


Simpson, William, 


Feb. 4, '64 




n. 




r. 


Slesburg, Harris, 


Feb. 18, '64 




n. 




r. 


Smith, George, 


Jan. 11, '63 




n. 




r. 


Smith, Henry, 


Feb. 9, '64 




n. 




r. 


Smith, John, 


Sept. 15, '62 




n. 




r. 


Smith, John, 


July 19, '64 




n. 




r. 


Smith, Melvin, 


July 19, '62 




n. 




r. 


Smith, Merritt F., 


Jan. 19, '64 




n. 




f 


Smith, William, 


Dee. 17, '64 




n. 




r. 


Stadler, Johan, 


Sept. 18, '62 




n. 




r. 


Stoctor, Thomas, 


Mar. 3, '64 




n. 




r. 


Stuart, Robert, 


Apr. 2, '64 




n. 




r. 


Sullivan, Patrick, 


Nov. 26, '62 




n. 




r. 


Sumner, James B., 


Dec. 28, '63 




11 




r. 


Sweeney, John, 


Sept. 11, '62 




n. 




r. 


Talbot, Henry, 


Dee. 22, '63 




n 




r. 


Telly, Patrick, 


Mar. 28, '64 




n. 




r. 


Thompson, Allen W., 


Sept. 12, '64 


Sept. 22, '65 


Enlisted for one year 


Toas, James, 


Feb. 18, '64 


Apr. 20, '64 


For dis 


ibility 


Tompkins, Sainuel, 


Sept. 13, '64 




n. 


f. 


r. 


Wall, William, 


Mar. 17, '64 




n. 


f. 


r. 


Warke, Louis, 


Aug. 15, '64 




n. 


f. 


r. 


Warren, George W. , 


Not given 










Wells, John R., 


Nov. 5, '62 










Whitbeck, Seneca P., 


Jan. 18, '64 


May 8, '65 


At Hart's 


Island, N. Y 


White, Daniel W., 


Sept. 12, '61 










White, John, 


Dec. 26, '62 




n 


f. 


r. 



326 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 



Name 

Whitman, William, 
Wilkinson, Augustus, 
Williams, John, 
Williams, John, 
Wilson, David, 
Wilson, Frank, 
Wilson, Thomas, 
Wright, Thomas, 
Wynkoop, Alvah K., 



Mustered in 


Mustered out 


Remarks 


Oct. 14, '64 








n. f. r. 


Jan. lb, '64 


May 


8, 


'65 


At Hart's Island, N. Y 


Mar. 1, '64 








n. f. r. 


Jan. 11, '63 








n. f. r. 


Jan. 2(i, '63 








n. f. r. 


Jan. 25, '63 








n. f. r. 


Feb. 26, '64 








n. f. r. 


Jan. 28, '64 








n. f. r. 


Aug. 5, '62 








n. f. r. 



Casualties in Action 

Abbott, Parley, Co. C. Captured at Columbia, Va., March 9, 
1865. Paroled March 10, 1865. 

Abel, Burdett, Co. G. Wounded at Trevilians Station, June 
12, 1864. 

Ackerman, Francis M., Co. I. Wounded in the foot— place 
and date not given. 

Adams, Thos. B.. Co. ^I. Wounded Sept. 19, 1861. 

Aitken Wm. F., Co. B. AVouuded and captured near Spott- 
sylvania C. H., April 30, 1863. Paroled May 3, 1863. 
Wounded at Morton's Ford, October 11, 1863. Wounded 
and sent to hospital Sept. 26, 1864. 

Allen, Lewis H., Co. G. Captured at Trevilians Station June 
11, 1864. Paroled at Savannah, Ga., Nov. 19, 1864. 

Ames, John P., Co. K. Captured at Thoroughfare Gap July 
26,'l863. Wounded at Salem Church May 28, 1864. Cap- 
tured at Trevilians Station June 12, 1864. Paroled Sept. 

I, 1864. 

Anderson, Samuel, Co. K. Captured at Berryville, September 
4, 1864. Died of disease, January 4, 1865, at Salisbury, 

N. C. 

Anderson, William J., Co. E. Captured at Spottsylvania 

C. H., April 30, 1863. Paroled May 5, 1863. 
Andrews, George W., Co. K. Wounded at Old Church, Va, 
Angood, John, Co. C. Captured at Trevilians Station, June- 

II, 1864. Paroled at Charlestown, S. C, December 16, 1864. 
Atwell, Theodore, Co. M. Captured at Hanover C. H., Feb- 
ruary 29, 1864. Died of disease, July 20, 1864, at Ander- 
sonville, Ga. 

Babcock, Benjamin, Co. K. Missing in action at Berryville,, 
August 13, 1864. Died December 24, 1864, at Salisbury, 
N. C. 



328 Histonj of the 

Babcock, Daniel A., Co. C. Wounded at Crooked Enn Auo- 

16, 1864. 
Barber, John W., Co. B. Missing in action at Brooks Station. 

May 80, 1863. Killed in action Auyiist 29, 1864 near 

Smithfield, Va. 
Barlow, John H., Co. B. Missing- in action September 4, 

1864, at Berryville, Va. 

Barts, George, Co. C. Killed October 11, 1863, at Stevens- 
burg, Va. 

Barzee, Charles, Co. K. Wounded and missing. June 12, 
1864, at Trevilians Station. 

Barzee, James, Co. K. Captured June 24, 1863, at Hay- 
market (Gainesville). Paroled July 2, 1863, at City Point. 
Virginia. 

Beach, Edward, Co. B. Wounded September 11, 1863, at 
Raccoon Ford. 

Beaumont, John, Co. E. Killed July 6, 1863. at Williamsport, 
Maryland. 

Beclavith, David 0., Co. C. Killed August 29, 1864, at Smith- 
field, Va. 

Beers, Herman S., Co. C. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 
sylvania C. H. Paroled :\Iay 5, 1863, at City Point, Va. 

Bell, J. Hamilton, Co. I. Captured September 4, 1864, at 
Berryville, Va. Paroled October 8, 1864. 

Bennett, ]\Iilton, Co. F. Missing June 11, 1864, at Trevilians 
Station. 

Bloomfield, George W. Captured June 11, 1864. at Trevilians 

Station. Died January 24, 1865, at Florence, S. C. 
Blunt, John W., Co. M. Wounded May 30, 1864, at Old 

Church Tavern, Va. 
Bogart, William, Co. B. Captured September 4, 1864, at 

Berryville, Va. Paroled February 22, 1865, at James River, 

Virginia. 
Bogert, William H., Co. A. Captured September 4, 1864, at 

Berry^ville, Va. Paroled February 22, 1865, at James River. 

Virginia. 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 329 

Boudreau, Andrew, Co. D. Captured October 1!), 18G4, at 

Cedar Creek, Ya. Paroled February 5, 1865, at Cox's 

AYliarf. Va. 
Bowne, John E., Co. I. Captured April 30, 18G:?, at Spott- 

sylvania C. H. Paroled J\Iay 5, 1863. 
Boyd, Abraham Z., Co. B. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 

sylvania C. H. Paroled I\Iay 5. 1863, at City Point, Va. 
Boyer, George M. D., Co. B. Captured May 2, 1863, at Chan- 

c-ellorsville. Paroled May 15, 1863, at City Point, Va. 
Byiniiton, Aaron, Co. I. Wounded June 2. 1864, at Bottom's 

Bridge. 
Bragaw, Townsend, Co. C. Captured June 11, 1864. at Tre- 

vilians Station. Paroled November 30. 1864, at Savannah. 

Georgia. 
Brath, Sebastian, Co. 11. Died August 31. 1864, of wounds 

received near Berryville, Va. 
Brengel, John N., Co. I. Wounded in the canteen, October 11, 

1863, at Brandy Station. Not disabled, but had to go thirsty 

until he procured another canteen. 
Bronson, i\Iarcus D., Co. B. Missing June 12, 1864, at Tre- 

vilians Station. Paroled I\Iarch 4, 1865, at North East 

Ferry, N. C. 
Brooks. Gill)ert C, Co. M. Captured January 17. 1865, at 

Lovettsville, Va. Paroled February 15, 1865, at Kichmond, 

Virginia. 
Bross, Albert W., Co. B. Wounded— date and place not given. 
Brower, Charles, Co. D. Captured August 29, 1862, at Ma- 
nassas, Va. Paroled September 4. 1862, at Vienna, Va. 
Brown, George W., Co. E. Missing September 25, 1864— 

place not given. 
Brown. William A., Co. B. Captured July 6, 1863, at Wil- 

liamsport, l\Id. Paroled August 7, 1863, at City Point, A^a. 

Wounded August 64 — place not given. 
Buck, Andrew, Co. D. Killed October 11, 1863, at Stevens- 
burg, Va. 



330 History of the 

Buesco, Charles, Co. D. Killed July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, 
Pennsylvania. 

Burcl, William, Co. F. Wonnded September 4, 1864 — place 
not given. 

Burke, John F., Co. B. Captured :\Iay 2, 1863, at Chancel- 
lorsville. Paroled May 14, 1863. at City Point. 

Burner, Robert, Co. K. Captured October 14, 1863, at Bris- 
tow Station. Escaped December 21, 1864, from Savannah, 
Georgia. 

Burris, Albert, Co. li. Captured August 13, 1864, at Berry- 
ville. Died October 26. 1864, while prisoner of war. 

Burris, Zachariah, Co. H. Captured— date and place not 
given. Died December 9, 1864, at Salisburj^ N. C. 

Campbell, Alfred, Co. E. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 
sylvania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point. Cap- 
tured September 25, 1864, at Front Royal. Paroled Feb- 
ruary 24, 1865, at Aiken's Landing, Va. 

Campbell, Henry A., Co. M. Killed January 18, 1865, near 
Lovettsville, Va. 

Campbell, Luke, Co. A. Captured — date and place not given. 
Paroled October, 1864. 

Carley, Frederick, Co. L. Captured July 2, 1863, at Gettys- 
burg, Pa. 

Carney, John B., Co. C. IMissing April 30, 1863, near Spott- 
sylvania C. H. Returned May 30, 1863, at Brooks' Station, 
Virginia. 

Carpenter. Charles, Co. G. Captured August 13, 1864, at 
Berryville. Confined at Salisbury, N. C. 

Carr, Thomas, Co. F. Killed :\Iay 7, 1864, near Todd's Tav- 
ern, Va. 

Carroll, John C, Co. D. Captured November 11, 1862, at 
Forestville. Paroled December 12, 1862, at City Point, Va. 
Wounded January 17, 1865, near Lovettsville. Died Jan- 
uary 20, 1865, at regimental hospital. 

Carroll, Thomas, Co. E. Wounded July 26, 1863, at Warren- 
ton, Va. Died July 27, 1863. 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalrij. 331 

Catiug, James, Co. B. Woiuided and captured September 1, 

1864, at Port Republic, Va. Paroled October 7, 1861, at 

Vienna, Va. 
Chadderdon, Philo D., Co. D. Killed Jime 23, 1861, at Jones' 

Bridge, Va. 
Cherry, Charles, Co. D. Captured September 4, 1864, at 

Berryville, Va. Died December 28, 1864, at Salisbury, N. C. 
Chappell, Robert, Co. A. Captured April 12, 1864, at Cul- 

peper C. H. Died August 13, 1864, at Andersonville, Ga. 
Church, Joseph, Co. D. Missing June 11, 1864, at Trevilians 

Station. Confined in rebel prison, Richmond, Va., and then 

sent to Andersonville, Ga. 
Clark, Andrew, Co. D. Captured December 17, 1864, at Har- 
per's Ferry. Paroled February 5, 1865, at Cox's Wharf, 

Virginia. 
Clark, Milton W., Co. I. Wounded June 9, 1863, at Beverly 

Ford. 
Clum, David, Co. E. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spottsyl- 

vania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point, Va. 
Coates, William, Co. E. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 

sylvania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point, Va. 
Cole, Lorenzo D., Co. G. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 

sylvania C. H. Paroled i\Iay 5, 1863, at City Point, Va. 
Collier, Isaac A., Co. I\r. Captured March 31, 1865, at Din- 

widdie C. H. Paroled April 2, 1865, at Aiken's Landing, 

Virginia. 
Colt, William L., Co. G. Wounded June 10, 1863, at Beverly 

Ford. 
Comber, Fitz, Co. G. Wounded January 27, 1865, at Lovetts- 

ville, Va. 
Combs, Joseph E., Co. K. Captured August 13, 1864, at 

Berryville. Died November 11, 1864, at Salisbury, N. C. 
Cone, Daniel 0., Co. D. Captured October 14, 1864, at Cedar 

Creek, Va. Paroled Februarj^ 5, 1865, at Cox's Landing. 
Conklin, William, Co. M. Died January 21, 1865, while 

prisoner of war at Danville, Va. 



332 History of the 

Conlin, John, Co. L. Wounded December 1, 1864 — place not 

given. 
Cook, James, Co. D. Captured July or August, 1862, in 

retreat from Harrison's Landing. Missing July 2, 1863, 

at Gettysburg, Pa. 
Cortelyou, David H., Co. E. Wounded June 3, 1864— place 

not given. 
Cox, James P., Co. M. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 

sylvania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point, Va. 
Crissey, Cyrus H., Co. M. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 

sylvania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point, Va. 

Wounded on skirmish line, May 30, 1864, near Richmond. 
Crocker, George A., Co. A. Missing in action October 11, 

1863. 
Crozier, Robert, Co. F. Killed :\Iay 7. 1863, near West Point, 

Virginia. 
Cuff, Jacob W., Co. B. Captured August 12. 1864, at Berry- 

ville. Paroled October 8, 1864, at Varina, Va. 
Davis. "Edward. Co. E. Captured June 11, 1864, at Trevil- 

ians Station. Paroled April 28, 1865, at Jacksonville, Fla. 
Davis, Jeremiah, Co. D. Captured June 12, 1864, at Trevil- 

ians Station. Escaped February 26. 1865, from Wilming- 
ton, N. C. 
Devin, Thos. C, Colonel. Wounded August 16, 1864, at 

Front Royal, Va. 
Devine, John, Co. F. Missing September 4, 1864, at Berry- 

ville, Va. 
Dewar, Peter, Co. A. Killed September 4, 1864, at Berryville, 

Virginia. 
DeWitt, Benj. C, Co. C. Wounded September, 1863— place 

not given. 
Donaldson, John, Co. F. Killed I\Iay 7, 1864, at Todd's 

Tavern, Va. 
Dooland, John, Co. F. IMissing June 13, 1864, at Trevilians 

Station. Died November 4, 1864, at Andersonville, Ga. 
Drenen, P. H., Co. A. Killed April 30. 1863, at Spottsyl- 

vania C. H. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 333 

Drew, Samuel, Co. E. Wounded October, 1864 — place not 
given. 

Dubied, Wilhelm, Co. K. Killed June 23, 1864, at Jones' 
Bridge, Va. 

Dubois, George W., Co. G. Captured August 13, 1864, at 
Berrj^ille, Va. Paroled March 1, 1865, at Wilmington, 
N. C. 

Dubois, Joseph, Co. B. Captured April 13, 1864, at Win- 
chester, Va. Paroled at Varina. Va., October 8, 1864. 

Dyer, Patrick, Co. F. Missing June 13, 1864, at Trevilians 
Station. 

Dykeman, Jefferson, Co. M. Captured January 17, 1865, at 
Lovettsville, Va. Paroled February 15, 1865, at Rich- 
mond. Va. 

Eberlein, George, Co. I. Captured October 10, 1864, at Stras- 
burg, Va. Paroled February 5, 1865, at Cox's Wharf, Va. 

Edwards, Lewis B., Co. H. Died December 26, 1864, while 
prisoner of war at Danville, Va. 

Edwards, Thos. F., Co. E. :\Iissing September 16, 1862, at 
Antietam, ]\Id. 

Endress, Valentine, Co. I. Captured ]\Iarch 10, 1865, at New- 
market, Va. Paroled March 26, 1865. 

Evans, Jonas. Co. A. Captured September 4, 1864 — place not 
given. 

Face, William H., Co. D. Captured January 17, 1865, at 
Lovettsville, Va. Paroled February 5, 1865, at Cox's 
Wharf, Va. 

Fairchild. Eli B., Co. il. Killed August 14, 1862. while on 

picket on Orange plank road, Va. 
Fanshaw. Samuel A., Co. I. Wounded April 28, 1863, at 
Germanna Ford. Killed June 23, 1864, at Jones' Bridge, 
Virginia. 
Farley, Thomas, Co. E. Missing in action June 23, 1864. 

Died November 17, 1864, at Anderson ville, Ga. 
Farnham, Frederick B., Co. F. Missing September 4, 1864, 
at Beriyville, Va. Died January 4. 1865, at Salisbury', N. C. 



334 History of the 

Fee, Stephen, Co. D. Captured August 29, 1862, at Manas- 
sas, Va. 
Ferguson, James B., Co. G. Captured June 29, 1862, at 

Savag-e Station, Va. Paroled July 28, 1862. 
Ferguson, John, Co. B. Wounded October 11, 1863, at Ste- 

vensburg. 
Ficken, Christopher. Co. L. Died of wound received October 

19, 1864, near MiddletowTi. 
Fifer, John, Co. M. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spottsyl- 

vania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point. 
Files, Noel J., Co. K. Wounded September 4, 1864, at Berry- 

ville, Va. 
Finch, Edmund J., Co. C. Wounded May, 1864— place not 

given. 
Flanney, William, Co. G. Wounded January 17, 1865, at 

Lovettsville. 
Foster, Alonzo, Co. F. Wounded July 26, 1864, at Deep 

Bottom. 
Foster, John J., Co. L. Captured September 24, 1864, at 

Harrisburg, Va. Paroled February 17, 1865, at Aiken's 

Landing, Va. 
Foster, Robert, Co. L. Wounded in action — place and date 

not given. 
Furlong, Charles, Co. D. AVounded ]May, 1864 — place not 

given. 
Free, Charles H., Co. I. Killed August 16, 1864, at Cedar- 

ville (Front Royal). 
Francis, Charles W., Co. I. Captured November 3, 1862, at 

Upperville, Va. Paroled November 30, 1862. Wounded 

August 29, 1864. at Smithfield. Died November 9, 1864, at 

Baltimore, I\Id. 
Freelan, Hiram E., Co. G. Wounded October 27, 1863, at 

Bealeton Station. 
French, Thomas, Co. A. Wounded in action, October 21, 

1863, at Wheatland. Va. 
Fry, Thomas, Co. H. Wounded October, 1864 — place not 

given. 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 335 

Gale, Abel S., Co. A. Captured — date and place not given. 

Gannon, Thomas, Co. D. Missing (probably killed) July 2. 
1863, at Gettysburg. 

Gardner, George, Co. F. IMissing October 11, 1863, at Brandy 
Station. 

Gill, Robert, Co. D. Captured September 14, 1864, at Berry- 
ville. Paroled September 24, 1864, at Varina, Va. 

Girr, John, Co. B. Killed June 23, 1864, at Jones' Bridge. 

Glenn, Thos. W., Co. I\[. Captured March 12, 1865, at Char- 
lottesville. Paroled I\Iarch 26. 1865, at Cox's Wharf. 

Glessner, John, Co. I. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spottsyl- 
vauia C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863. 

Goler, George W., Co. K. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 
sylvauia C. H. Paroled I\Iay 5, 1863, at City Point. Cap- 
tured September 4, 1864. at Berryville. Paroled October 
17, 186-1, at Varina, Ya. 

Goodfellow, Alanson, Co. A. Captured I\Iareh 31, 1865, at 
Dinwiddle C. H. Paroled April 2, 1865, at Varina, Va. 

Goodnow, Cyrus S., Co. K. Captured November 23, 1863, on 
picket at Culpeper. Sent to Andersonville, Ga., iNIareh 17, 
1864. 

Grady, Patrick W., Co. A. Wounded December 24. 1863— 
place not given. 

Grant, Randall, Co. F. Wounded November 12, 1864, at 
Middletown. 

Grimishaw, Samuel, Co. H. Died November 5, 1864, of 
wounds — place not given. 

Grinnell, John E., Co. I. Captured August, 1862, at Ma- 
nassas. Paroled September 13, 1862. 

Gross, John. Co. G. Captured AugTist 13. 1864, at Berryville. 
Paroled February 28, 1865, at N. E. Ferrj, N. C. 

Guernsey, Aai, Co. G. Wounded August 11, 1864, at AVhite 
Post, Va. 

Hagerty, John, Co. E. Captured June 11, 1864, at Trevilians 
Station. Paroled April 28, 1865, at Jacksonville, Fla. 

Hall, Edward, Co. L. Wounded August 25, 1864 — place not 
given. 



336 Historij or the 

Hall, William P., Co. H. Captured June 7, 1864, at Kingston, 
Va. Paroled December 10, 1864, at Charleston, S. C. 

Hamilton, Chadius PL, Co. F. Wounded August 29, 1864— 
place not given. 

Hankins, John D., Co. B. Captured September 4, 1864, at 
Berryville. Paroled September 24, 1864, at Varina, Va. 

Hannahs, Diodate C, Co. F. Died September 10, 1862, from 
wounds received at Williamsburg, Va. 

Harband, George, Co. C. Drowned March 3, 1865, at Waynes- 
boro, Va. 

Hardendorf, Jacob, Co. D. Killed August 16, 1864, at 
Crooked Run, Va. 

Harmon, R. A. D., Co. I. Died August 12, 1864, from 
wounds — place not given. 

Hanegan, Lewis, Co. I. Captured June 12, 1864, at Trevilians 
Station. 

Hathaway, Thos., Co. B. Died June 24 of wounds received 
22d (1863) at Middleburg, Va. 

Hayes, Jolui, Co. A. Captured June 11, 1864, at Trevilians 
Station. Sent to Andersonville, Ga., June 22, 1864. Died 
there September 18, 1864. 

Hemmingway, Chas. B., Co. A. Wounded May 7, 1864 — 
place not given. 

Llenion, Jacob, Co. E. Captured June 11, 1864, at Louisa 
C. H. Paroled April 28, 1865, at Jacksonville, Fla. 

Heermance, Wm. L., Co. ]M. Wounded and captured April 
30, 1863, at Spottsylvania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at 
City Point. Wounded August 16, 1863, at Front Royal. 

Hill, George, Co. M. Wounded August 11, 1864, at White 
Post, Va. 

Hodgman, William, Co. D. Missing July 2, 1863, at Gettys- 
burg, Pa. 

Hogan, Daniel, Co. C. Captured September 4, 1864, at Berry- 
ville. Died December 9, 1864, at Salisbury, N. C. 

Hogencamp, Alfred L., Co. B. Captured April 30, 1863, at 
Spottsylvania C. H. Paroled I\Iay 5, 1863, at City Point. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 337 

Hollis, Henry, Co. C. ]\Iissiiig April -SO, 18(38, at Spottsyl- 

vania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point. Wounded 

October, 1863 — place not given. 
Hollister, Erastus, Co. M. Captured xVpril 30, 1868, at Spott- 

sylvania C. IT. Paroled IMay 5, 1863, at City Point. 
Hope, George W., Co. A. Wounded November 24, 1863 — 

place not given. 
Hopson, Sidney P., Co. I. Captured September 4, 1864. at 

Berryville. 
Horton, Riley E., Co. E. Captured December 13, 1862, at 

Barnett's Ford. Paroled January 6, 1863, at City Point. 

Wounded September 19, 1864 — place not given. 
Howell, Walter G., Co. B. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 
' sylvania C. H. Returned to duty May 16, 1863. 
Howlitt, Charles, Co. D. Wounded near Centerville — date 

not given. 
Hubbard, Adolplius, Co. D. Prisoner of war from November 

8, 1863, to April 21, 1865. 
Hyland, Alexander, Co. B. Wounded August 29, 1864 — 

place not given. 
Hyland, John, Co. A. Killed May 30, 1864, at Old Church 

Tavern. 
Ibbs, Charles, Co. L. Captured September, 1864, at Fort 

Republic, Va. Paroled February 28, 1865, at N. E. Bridge, 

N. C. 
Jenison, Samuel P., Co. I. Captured September 4, 1864, at 

Berryville. Paroled February 21, 1865, at James River, Va. 
Jewell, John B., Co. M. Killed October 11, 1863, at Brandy 

Station. 
Johnson, Henry L., Co. K. Missing September 4; 1864 — place 

not given. 
Johnson, Riley, Co. K. Captured June 24, 1863, at Hay- 
market, Va. Paroled March 1, 1865, at N. E. Ferry, N. C. 
Jones, John. Co. E. Missing June 11, 1864 — place not given. 

Died November 6, 1864, at Andersonville, Ga. 
Kiernan,.Thos. H., Co. M. Wounded September 14, 1864— 

place not given. 

99. 



338 History of the 

Keller, Conrad, Co. M. Died June 15, 1864, of wounds 
received at Trevilians Station. 

Kelly, Patrick, Co. M. Wounded June 9, 1863, at Beverly 
Ford. 

Kennedy, John, Co. B. Wounded Aua^ust 29, 1864 — place 
not given. 

Lang-s, Wesley, Co. F. Captured June 11, 1864, at Trevilians 
Station. 

Larkin, John A., Co. B. Wounded June 10, 1863, at Middle- 
burg, Va. 

Lason, Benj. F., Co. F. Died IMarch 6, 1864, at Anderson- 
ville, Ga. 

Latham, Eldridge P.. Co. H. Prisoner of war, September or 
October, 1864. 

Laughran, Joseph, Co. C. Wounded and captured June 11, 
1864, at Trevilians Station. Paroled September 2, 1864, at 
Variua, Va. 

Light, AVilliam H., Co. B. Wounded May 7, 1864, at Wilder- 
ness. 

Loesner, Bernard, Co. I. Captured 1863 at Spottsylvania 
C. H. Paroled May 14, 1863, at City Point. 

Lyon, Hiram, Co. C. Wounded May 7, 1864. at Wilderness. 

Lyth, William, Co. K. Captured August 13, 1864, at Win- 
chester. Paroled October 8, 1864, at Aiken's Landing. 

Mahoney, James, Co. G. Wounded January 17, 1865, at 
Lovettsville. 

Main, John G., Co. B. Killed October 19, 1864, at Stras- 
burg, Va. 

Malliek, Michael, Co. D. Captured 1863 at Bealeton Station. 
Confined at Richmond, Va. Missing June 11, 1864, at 
Trevilians Station. Died September 5, 1864, at Anderson- 
ville, Ga. 

Marr, Sylvester, Co. C. Captured August 13, 1864, at Berry- 
ville. Paroled February 24, 1865, at Aiken's Landing. 

Martaugh, John, Co. A. Missing June 12, 1864, at Trevilians 
Station. Died November 2, 1864, at Andersonville, Ga. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 339 

I\Iartin. William, Co. U. Killed April 29, 1863, at Spottsyl- 
vania C. H. 

INIathews, Solomon, Co. D. Died of wounds, September 28, 
1862. 

May, Samuel S., Co. I. Wounded in action — date and place 
not given. 

]\Iayhew, Lewis, Co. I. Captured August 13. 1864, at Berry- 
ville. Died November 19, 1864, at Salisbury, N. C. 

I\Iaynard. Asahel, Co. G. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 
svlvania C. II. Paroled INIay 5, 1863, at City Point. 

I^lcAfee, John, Co. I. Killed July 26, 1864, at Deep Bottom, 
Virginia. 

]\IcCauley, Thomas, Co. D. Captured on retreat from Harri- 
son's Landing'. Paroled September 13, 1862, at Aiken's 
Landing'. 

T^IcClarey, George. Co. E. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 
sylvania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point. Miss- 
ing in action September 4, 1864 — place not given. 

INIcCluer. John, Co. I. Killed November 12, 1864, near New- 
town. A^a., in the "midnight charge." 

McCrumb, AYilliam, Co. H. Killed June 23, 1864, at Jones' 
Bridge. 

McCugh, Felix. Co. A. Wounded October 11, 1863— place 
not given. 

IMcDermott, Lawrence, Co. C. Wounded September 4, 1864, 
at Berryville. 

IMcDonald, John, Co. E. Captured September 4, 1864, at 
Berryville. Paroled February 28, 1865, at N. E. Ferry, 
N. C. 

T^IcGloin, Felix, Co. E. Captured May 30, 1864, at Old 
Church. Paroled April 28, 1865, at Jacksonville, Fla. 

T^IcGrath, William, Co. B. Captured May 2, 1863. at Chan- 
cellorsville. Paroled May 15, 1863, at City Point. 

McGuire, Patrick, Co. A. Died of w^ound, October 19, 1863. 

Mclntire, Boswell, Co. E. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 
sylvania C. II. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point. Killed 
at Five Forks, Va., April 1, 1865. 



340 History of the 

McKinney, Edward P., Co. G. Wounded 1864 near Berry- 

ville, Va. 
McKinzie, Owen, Co. K. Died June 12, 1864, from wounds 

received at Trevilians Station. 
McLahren, William, Co. B. Captured May 3, 1863, at Kelly's 

Ford. Paroled May 15, 1863, at City Point. 
McLarry, Hugh, Co. C. Wounded September or October, 

1863 — place not given. 
McLaughlin, Chas. S., Co. C. Captured June 11, 1864, at 

Trevilians Station. Paroled November 20, 1864, at Savan- 
nah, Ga. 
McMahon, James, Co. I. Wounded May 7, 1864, at Wilder- 
ness. 
McNall, Efner, Co. I. Killed October 11, 1863, at Morton's 

Ford. 
McOloff, Jeremiah, Co. C. Killed October 11, 1863, at Ste- 

vensburg. 
McVey, Jolm, Co. B. Captured July 6, 1863, at Willliams- 

port, ]\Id. Paroled November 21, 1864, at Savannah, Ga. 
McVicar, Duncan, Lieut.-col. Killed April 30, 1863, at Spott- 

sylvania C. H. 
Meade, Lucius C, Co. K. Captured October 19, 1864, at Port 

Republic, Va. Paroled May 1, 1865. 
Miller, Charles, Co. I. Captured May, 1863, at Chancellors- 

ville. Paroled May 14, 1863. 
Miller, Chas. H., Co. M. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 

sylvania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point. 
Miller, Henry, Co. C. Captured March 17, 1865, in King 

William County. Paroled March 26, 1865, at Aiken's 

Landing. 
Miller, James, Co. E. Killed April 30, 1863, at Spottsyl- 

vania C. H. 
Miller, John, Co. G. AVounded January 17, 1865, at Lovetts- 

ville. 
Miller, John, Co. F. Wounded September 4, 1864, at Berry- 

ville. 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 341 

Minkler, Theodore, Co. M. Killed June 23, 1864, at Jones' 
Bridge. 

Mitchell, Harrison H., Co. G. Wounded August 16, 1864. at 
Crooked Run. 

IMitchell, Horace W., Co. G. Wounded IMarch 31. 1865— place 
not given. 

IMoat. Charles, Co. E. Wounded August 15, 1864, near Front 
Royal. Died September 12, 1864. 

]\Iooray, Samuel, Co. C. Died of wounds, September 22, 1862. 

Moore, James H., Co. D. Missing June 11, 1864, at Trevilians 
Station. Confined at Andersonville, Ga. 

Moreau, Adolphus, Co. F. Missing September 4. 1864. at 
Berr^^alle. 

Morlev, John 0., Co. C. Died of wounds received at IMiddle- 
town Heights. 

Morris, William James, Co. B. Captured June 11, 1864, at 
Trevilians Station. Paroled November 26, 1864, at Savan- 
nah. Ga. 

]\Iorrison, George, Co. A. Killed October 19, 1864, at Middle- 
town, Va. 

Morrison. Jolin J., Co. ]\I. Captured September 4, 1864, at 
Berryville. Died March 12, 1865, at Richmond, Va. 

Mott. Daniel E., Co. G. Captured August 13, 1864, at Berry- 
ville. Died November 22, 1864, at Salisbury, N. C. 

I\Iuldoon, John, Co. I. Captured August 20, 1862, at Cul- 
peper, Va. Paroled September 13, 1862. Wounded August 
16, 1864. at Front Royal. 

Elungay, John, Co. A. Killed May 30, 1864. at Old Church 
Tavern. 

Murphy, John, Co. A. Captured I\Iay 3, 1863, at Chancellors- 
ville. Paroled ]May 15, 1863. Captured September 4, 1864, 
at Berryville. Died December 24, 1864, at Salisbury, N. C. 

Murray, James, Co. A. Killed October 21, 1862, near Wheat- 
land, Va. 

Nettles, Robert, Co. E. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spottsyl- 
vania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863. at City Point. 



342 History of the 

Newton, Richard R., Co. K. Wounded 1864— where and 

when not given. 
Nichols, Theodore, Co. A. Killed September 19, 1864, at 

Winchester. 
Nugent, Hugh, Co. L. Captured August, 1864, at Berryville. 

Confined at Richmond, Va., Aug-ust 28, 1864. At Salisbury, 

N. C, October 9, 1864. 
O'Brien, Edward, Co. L. Wounded December 23, 1864— 

place not given. 
Older, Marvin, Co. I. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spottsyl- 

vania C. H. Paroled May 6, 1863. 
O'Neill, James, Co. E. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spottsyl- 

vania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point. 
Osborne, John D., Co. F. Wounded June 23, 1864— place not 

given. 
Osgood, Marvin, Co. K. Captured— date and place not given. 

Paroled November 17, 1863, at Alexandria, Va. 
Otto, Jacob E., Co. C. Captured March 10, 1863, at Morris- 

ville, Va. Paroled April 11, 1863, at City Point. Killed 

July 2, 1863, near Rockville, Md. 
Packard, Lyman, Co. L. Captured September 27, 1864, at 

McGaheysville, Va. Died January 23, 1865, at Salisbury, 
N. C. 

Palmer, John, Co. I. Captured August 20, 1862, at Culpeper, 
Va. Paroled September 13, 1862, at Aiken's Landing.' 
Killed October 11, 1863, at Brandy Station. 

Pearl, Levi L., Co. I. Killed Aug-ust 16, 1864, at Front Royal. 

Pendergrast, Edward, Co. A. Captured August 13, 1864, at 
Berryville. Died December 2, 1864, at Salisbuiy, N. C. 

Perrett, John, Co. K. Died of wound, July 21, 1864, at 
Point Lookout, ]\rd. 

Perry, Asal, Co. C. Wounded August 16, 1864, at Crooked 
Run, Va. 

Perry, Daniel ]\I., Co. C. Captured June 11, 1864, at Trevil- 
ians Station. Paroled at Charleston, S. C. 

Perry, Edward H., Co. K. Killed ]\Iay, 1864, at the Wilder- 
ness. 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 343 

Persons, William H., Co. D. :\Iissiiig July 2, 1863, at Gettys- 
burg. Pa. 
Pettit, James F., Co. G. Wounded September 19, 186-1, at 

■Winchester. 
Phelan, James, Co. G. Killed June 12, 1861, at Trevilians 

Station. 
Phelps, Willard, Co. G. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 

svlvania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point. 
Phillips, David L., Co. I. Killed June 23, 1861, at Jones' 

Bridge. 
Phillips, Joseph, Co. E. Missing June 11, 1864— place not 

given. Died January 15, 1865, at Andersonville, Ga. 
Phillips, William W^., Co. I. Mortally wounded June 9, 1863, 

at Beverly Ford. 
Philpot, James, Co. K. ^Mortally wounded September 4, 1864, 

at Berry^dlle. 
Phippen. Aurannah W., Co. I. Captured, 1863, at Chancel- 

lorsville. Paroled ]\Iay 14, 1863,. at City Point. 
Pickett, Andrew D., Co. H. Captured— date and place not 

oiven. Died I\larch 15, 1865, at Wilmington, N. C. 
Pierce, John, Co. I. Killed October 11, 1863, at Morton's 

Ford. 
Pierce, Silas N., Co. C. Wounded September 19, 1864, at 

Winchester, Va. 

Platte, Henry, Co. F. Wounded September 19, 1864, at Win- 
chester, Va. 

Potter, Adin H., Co. D. Captured— when and where not 
given. Returned August 23, 1863. iMissing June 11, 1864, 
at Trevilians Station. Escaped from Hilton Head, S. C. 

Potter, Henry, Co. F. Wounded May 7, 1864, at Todd's 
Tavern. 

Pratt, Edward F., Co. I. Killed September 4, 1864, at Berry- 

ville. 
Prescott, Jules, Co. D. Wounded near Centreville— date not 

given. 
Prescott, Peter, Co. D. Captured June 27, 1863, at Hay- 
market, Va. Pieturned September 30, 1863. 



344 History of the 

Preston, Henry H., Co. H. Wounded April 9, 1865, at Appo- 
mattQx C. H. 

Prince, George S., Co. H. Wounded — when and where not 
given. 

Purcell, William S., Co. I. Captured April 30, 1863, at 
Spottsylvania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863. 

Quick, Martin, Co. B. Wounded — date and place not given. 

Raleigh, Thomas, Co. I. Captured September 10, 1862, at 
Fredericksburg, Va. Confined at Richmond, Va. 

Ramsey, John F., Co. E. Wounded April 29, 1863, at Ger- 
manna Ford. 

Reddy, Austin P., Co. A. Wounded October 11, 1863— place 
not given. 

Rice, John, Co. E. Captured 1863 at Culpeper, Va. Paroled 
March 21, 1864. 

Richards, Joseph, Co. D. Wounded mortally October 9, 1864, 
at Woodstock, Va. 

Rood, Joseph P., Co. B. Wounded August 17, 1862, on the 
Rappahannock. 

Rosbero, Robert, Co. M. Wounded August 29, 1864, at Smith- 
field, Va. Wounded March 30, 1865, near Five Forks, Va. 

Reuben, Jacob, Co. I. Captured August 11, 1864, at New- 
town, Va. Paroled February 22, 1865. 

Russell, Amos E., Co. D. Wounded— place and date not 
given. 

Russell, John, Co. C. Captured June, 1864, at Trevilians 
Station. Paroled November 21, 1864, at Savannah, Ga. 

Ryan, Cornelius, Co. B. Wounded August 11, 1864, at White 
Post, Va. 

Ryan, John, Co. B. Captured June 12, 1864, at Trevilians 
Station. Died October 20, 1864, at Florence, S. C. 

Ryder, Anthony, Co. E. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 
sylvania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point. 

Ryder, Walter, Co. E. Missing June 11. 1864 — place not 
given. Died September 15, 1864, at Andersonville, Ga. 

Sanger, Simon C, Asst. Surgeon. Captured April 30, 1863, 
at Spottsylvania C. H. Exchanged June 10, 1863. Cap- 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 3-1:5 

tured June 15, 1864, at Spottsylvania. Paroled August 13, 

1864, at Aiken's Landing. 

Saunders, Franldin T., Co. I. Wounded October 6, 1864, at 

Fisher's Hill, Va. Died November 5, 1864. 
Schusterbaur, John, Co. F. Wounded June 23, 1864^-place 

not given. 
See, Adam H., Co. H. Killed September 4, 1864, at Berry- 

ville, Va. 
Sharp. Henry J., Co. F. Wounded August 29, 1864— place 

not given. 
Shaughnessy, James, Co. A. Captured April 12, 1864, at Cul- 

peper, Va. Died August 24, 1864, at Andersonville, Ga. 
Shellman, Lewis A., Co. D. Died of wounds, February 21, 

1865, near Lovettsville, Va. 

Sinnott, William, Co. D. Wounded August 29, 1864, at 
Smithfield, Va. 

Slater, Thomas, Co. E. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 
sylvania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point. 

Sliter, William, Co. IM. Captured May 3. 1863, at Chancel- 
lorsville. Paroled May 14, 1863, at Citj^ Point. 

Smith, Cady, Co. C. Captured April 30. 1863, at Spottsyl- 
vania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point. 

Smith. David, Co. D. Captured July 18, 1864, at Petersburg, 
Va. Paroled ^^larch 2. 1865, at N. E. Feriy, N. C. 

Smith, Ephraim F.. Co. I. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 
sylvania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point. Killed 
October 11, 1863, at Morton's Ford, Va. 

Smith, Gilbert, Co. E. Captured April 30, 1863. at Spottsyl- 
vania C. H. Paroled IMay 5, 1863, at City Point. 

Smith, William E., Co. H. IMissing June 12, 1864, at Trevil- 
ians Station. 

Snyder, John, Co. C. Captured June 11, 1864, at Trevilians 
Station. Paroled February 27, 1865, at N. E. Ferry, N. C. 

Snyder, Michael, Co. :\I. Wounded August 25. 1861r— place 
not given. 

Snyder, William G., Co. G. Captured September 4, 1864, at 
Berryville. Died November 22, 1864, at Salisbury, N. C. 



346 History of the 

Southwic'k, Jonathan, Co. D. Wounded — where and when not 

given. 
Spike, James, Co. C. Captured June 11, 1864, at Trevilians 

Station. Sent Jmie 22, 1864, to Andersonville, Ga. Sent 

October 30, 1864, to Millen, Ga. 
Sponable, David W., Co. C. Killed October 11, 1863, near 

Stevensbnrg, Va. 
Sproul, William, Co. B. Wounded August 29, 1864— place 

not given. 
Stearns, Alvin, Co. D. Missing June 11, 1864, at Trevilians 

Station. Paroled February 26, 1865, at Wilmington, N. C. 
Stebbins, John W., Co. F. Captured August 13, 1864, at 

Berrj^ille. Sent to Salisbury, N. C, October 9, 1864. 
Stolicker, James E., Co. M. Captured October 23, 1862, at 

Hillsboro, Va. Paroled December 18, 1862. 
Stoutenburgh, David S., Co. G. Captured August 13, 1864, 

at Berryville. Paroled October 8, 1864, at Varina, Va. 
Stoutenburgh, Irwin J., Co. G. AVounded October 11, 1863, 

at Brandy Station. 
Stickland, Henry, Co. M. Captured September 4, 1864, at 

Berryville. Paroled March 1, 1865, at N. E. Ferry, N. C. 
Stripe, Morgan, Co. B. Wounded May or June, 1863 — place 

not given. Wounded August 29, 1864. 
Taber, William F., Co. H. Captured — place and date not 

given. Died December 2, 1863, at Richmond, Va. 
Tabor, Gilbert, Co. D. Captured Aug\ist 13, 1864, at Berry- 
ville. Paroled September 12, 1864, at Varina, Va. 
Taylor, Benj. F., Co. I. Killed October 11, 1863. at Brandy 

Station. 
Taylor, AVilliam A., Co. E. Captured October 14, 1863, at 

Bristow Station, Va. Paroled March 7, 1864, at City Point. 
Tompkins, George, Co. C. Captured at Spottsylvania C. H. 

Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point. 
Thompson, David, Co. C. Died of wounds, April 30, 1863, at 

Spottsylvania C. H. 
Tilley, John, Co. D. AVounded December 13, 1862, at Fred- 
ericksburg, Va. 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 347 

Titus, Edward, Co. II. Wounded in action — place and date 

not given. 
Toay, Robert, Co. G. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spottsyl- 

vania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point. 
Tomlinson, George W., Co. F. Wounded June 13, 186-4, at 

Trevilians Station. 
Traver, George, Co. F. Captured — place and date not given. 

Died February 12, 1865, at Riclmiond, Va. 
Traynor, Thomas, Co. L. Captured August 13, 1864, at 

Berryville, Va. Paroled October 8, 1864, at Varina, Va. 
Tripp, George S., Co. G. Wounded April 30, 1863, at Chan- 

cellorsville. 
Valentine, John, Co. E. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 

sylvania C. H. Paroled I\Iay 5, 1863, at City Point. 
Van Buren, George M., Co. M. Captured July 6, 1863, at 

Wllliamsport, Md. Paroled I\Iarch 1, 1865, at N. E. Ferry, 

N. C. 
Vanderwark, George, Co. G. Wounded June 23, 1864, at 

Jones' Bridge. 
Van Hannick, William, Co. A. Captured September 4, 1864, 

at Berryville. Confined at Riclimond, Va., September 10, 

1864. Sent to Salisbury, N. C, October 9, 1864. Sent to 

hospital at Florence, N. C, December, 1864. 
Verner, William, Co. C. Captured June 11, 1864, at Trevil- 
ians Station. Paroled December 6, 1864, at Charleston, 

S. C. 
Walker, ]\Iathew, Co. D. AVounded — place and date not given. 
Ward, Joseph H., Co. A. AA^ounded September 4, 1864 — place 

not given. 
AVan-en, Charles H., Co. D. AVounded July 2, 1863, at Get- 
tysburg, Pa. 
Watson, AA^illiam H., Co. E. Alissing June 11, 1864— place 

not given. Died September 25, 1864, at INIillen, Ga. 
Webster, Harrison, Co. F. Captured March 15, 1865 — place 

not given. 
Weller, Hiram, Co. E. Captured April 30, 1863, at Spott- 

sylvania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863, at City Point. 



348 History of the 

Wells, Elisha P., Co. I. Killed August 20, 1862, at Barnett's 

Ford. 
Wells, Theodore W., Co. B. Wounded March or April, 1864 

— place not given. 

Wells, Thomas M., Co. I. Wounded March, 1865, near Five 

Forks, Va. 
Wenninger, Eilat, Co. D. I\Iissing July 2, 1863, at Gettys- 
burg, Pa. 
West, Harvey R., Co. B. Wounded January 25, 1864 — place 

not given. 
Westinghouse, Albert, Co. I. Captured April 30, 1863, at 

Spottsylvania C. H. Paroled May 5, 1863. 
Weston, J. Newcomb, Co. K. Captured June 12, 1863, at 

Haymarket, Va. Paroled July 2, 1863, at City Point. 

Wounded August 16, 1864, at Crooked Run, Va. 
Whitbeck, Samuel N., Co. I\[. Captured January 17, 1865, at 

Lovettsville, Va. Paroled February 15, 1865, at Richmond, 

Virginia. 
Whittaker, Frederick, Co. L. Wounded June, 1864 — place 

not given. Captured and paroled — place and date not 

given. 
Wight, Charles, Co. E. Died July 17, 1864, of wounds — place 

not given. 
Wilson, Alexander, Co. H. Wounded 1863 at Warrenton 

Junction, Va. 
Wilson, George, Co. B. Wounded May or June, 1863 — place 

not given. 
Winslow, George, Co. ]\I. Wounded August 11, 1864 — place 

not given. 
Wood, Asa P.. Co. E. Captured May, 1863, at Aquia Creek, 

Va. Paroled at City Point — date not given. 
Wood, Isaac, Co. A. Wounded August 11, 1864 — place not 

given. 
Woyl, Frederick, Co. G. Captured September 4, 1864, at 

Beri-yville, Va. Paroled April 2, 1865, at Aiken's Landing. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 349 

Wrioht, James, Co. I. Wounded May 30, 1863, at Old Tav- 
ern, Va. Woimded September or October, 1864 — place not 
given. 

"Wrioht, James F., Co. H. Captured — place and date not 
given. Died March 8, 1865, at Richmond, "Va. 

Wright, Raymond L., Co. D. Killed September 19, 1864, at 
Winchester, Va. 

Wygant, Charles C, Co. I. Captured September 4, 1864, at 
Berryville, Va. Died December 1, 1864, at Salisbury, N. C. 

Young, James, Co. B. Captured INIay 2, 1863, at Chancellors- 
ville. Paroled ]\[ay 15, 1863, at City Point. 



Individual Experiences and 
Reminiscences 

EXPERIENCE OF COMRADE THOS. H. KIER- 

NAN, AFTER BEING BADLY WOUNDED 

AT BERRYVILLE, YA., SEPT. 4, 18C4. 

In our advance to Winchester Sept. 3d, 1864, we had 
considerable skirmishing till 9 p.m., when we were 
relieved and went into bivouac for the night. 

The following morning we fell back towards Berry- 
ville. As we got in sight of the town a cavalr^mian 
rode np to the top of a hill on the right of the road and 
commenced firing at us. Major Beardsley rode up 
from the left of the line and said to Captain Blunt, 
who was in command of the advance guard, "AVhat is 
the matter with that man? He must be crazy. He 
looks like one of our own men. ' ' Then Captain Blunt 
said: *'I had better take the first two sections and go 
up on that hill and see." I was in the first section. 
We advanced to the top of the hill on the right of the 
road. When we got up, the man had disappeared and 
we could see no one, only what we supposed was our 
own infantry behind the breastworks in Berryville. 
AYe stood watching them for a short time when we 
heard the rebel yell coming from a plantation, and a 
string of Johnnies came filing through the gate- 
way of the house grounds and charged on us. The 
Captain gave us orders to fire. We emptied our car- 
bines and fell in on the left of our regiment, which had 



352 History of the 

formed on the left of the road in line of battle. The 
enemy charged; we fired, checked and drove them 
back. Major Beardsley then gave the order to charge, 
which we did, and drove them back near the top of the 
hill, when another body of Johnnies came over the hill 
and drove ns back into the field again ; then the mixup 
came, and dnring the melee I found Hen Stickland 
on my right and Bill Kelly on my left. What hap- 
pened afterwards came so suddenly it is almost impos- 
sible for me to describe, for a huge Johnny, with 
uplifted sabre, made a cut at me which I tried to parry 
with my empty revolver (we had not yet drawn our 
sabres), but I did not succeed very well, getting a very 
bad cut on the arm and head. Following him came 
another Johnny emptying his revolver at me, but only 
the last shot took effect. He was so close that the 
powder burnt my blouse, the ball going through my 
side and coming out at my back. 

The next thing I remember after recovering myself, 
having fallen back on my horse, was hearing the 

words, "You greenback!" "you Yankee!" "you " 

Stickland was receiving the same dose from another 
reb. I was then taken from my horse and laid by the 
side of the road, where Stickland tried to stop the 
effusion of blood and bind up my wounds. 

We then discovered we had come in contact with 
Colonel Mosby's guerrillas. As nearly as I can 
remember our force was about 165 men and Mosby's 
between 400 and 500. 

The next bone of contention came about as to who 
were entitled to the prisoners, Mosby or the infantry 
behind the batteries in Berryville, which was soon 
settled by Mosby's men going through us and taking 
everything of value. After chasing our boys a con- 





Ma.1. James Catin<; 



F. P. (iAI.I,A(;HF.R, Troop A. 




Ma.iok J. B. Wheeler. 




.%«* 




Lieut-col. Harrison White. 



Chap. George D. Crocker. 



Sixtli New Yorh Cavalry. 353 

siderable distance, tliey came back and ordered the 
prisoners to the rear. I told the officer I was badly 
wounded and could not mount a horse, so he said they 
could not be bothered with wounded men and left me. 
Soon another officer came and inquired about my 
wounds. He seemed to take a great interest in me, 
and helped me on a horse and held me there, and began 
questioning me about our forces, and seemed quite sur- 
prised at the small number of our force. I after- 
wards found out he was the rebel Colonel, Mosby. 

While lying in the road I saw Sergeant Dewar of 
Company A, whose horse had been shot and had fallen 
on him, breaking one of his legs. A Johnny rode up 
and ordered him to the rear. He told him his horse had 
fallen on him and broken his leg and he was unable to 
get up. With that the reb drew his revolver and 
shot him dead. Colonel Mosby called the Johnny a 
cowardly cur, drew his sabre, and made a cut at him, 
but he escaped on his horse. 

W^e were then brought up and joined the rest of the 
prisoners, among whom were many wounded and 
some of our officers. The only ones I can remember 
were Major Goler, Jonas Evans and Billy Bogert of 
Company A, and John Devine of Company F. The 
prisoners not wounded were sent away under guard. 
The wounded were left to make their way the best they 
could between the columns. On our journey I told 
Major Goler I was going to make my escape the first 
chance I saw. He advised me not to, as I ran the risk 
of being shot, but I insisted, as I was so badly wounded 
I stood a very poor chance in Libby Prison. So I 
took the chance and tumbled off my horse into the 
road, and after two or three attempts got over the 
fence into a corn-field and started to run, but kept fall- 

23 



354 History of the 

ing down, and got about one hundred yards from the 
road; after falling down several tnnes I was discov- 
ered, and they fired several shots at me. One 
Johnny said, ''Oh, let him go. He is badly wounded, 
anyhow, and cannot recover, being shot through the 
body," and they went on. I then crawled up to a gar- 
den fence among some bushes, where I thought I 
would lie down, but after thinking it over I thought I 
might stiffen up so I would not be able to get away. I 
climbed over the fence and got into the rear of the 
house, which I found occupied by an old lady and her 
daughter, who tried to dress my wounds; but I am 
afraid they made a poor job of it, as they were so 
excited, but they did the best they could for the Yan- 
kee boy. God bless them. 

The firing then became ver}^ heavy about the house, 
as Custer had come up about that time and began 
shelling them. Quite a number were bursting about 
the house, so I advised the old lady if there was a cel- 
lar she had better go down in it, as she might get hurt, 
which she did, but the daughter refused and remained 
with me. 

I got to feeling so bad that I wanted her to call in 
some of the troops, thinking they might do something 
for me to ease my pains, but she thought best not to. 
I managed to get to my feet and to the door, but she 
pushed me back and, opening the door a little way, 
peeked out and said, "Wait a few moments." Our 
boys were in sight and would be up in a few moments. 
Then Custer's Fifth Michigan, which had been follow- 
ing us, came by and brought me back to a field hospi- 
tal which he had established. 

Fighting around Berryville was very heavy and our 
lines were continually changing. Custer was driven 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 355 

back to the hospital, and the surgeon in charge had 
ordered all the ambulances to the rear, had gone hhn- 
self, and left about forty-five wounded. I remained 
there all that night and until about eight o'clock next 
morning, when we heard cavalry coming down the 
road. A lieutenant of the Fifth Michigan, who was 
next to me, being wounded in the leg, crawled along by 
the fence and attracted their attention. When an 
officer found out our condition, he reported it to Gen- 
eral oMerritt, who happened to be coming that way. 
Upon hearing how the surgeon had deserted us, he was 
very indignant and threatened to have him court- 
martialed. He tried to get wagons in an old barn, 
which he did, but could find no harness. He commanded 
his orderlies to dismount and place the wounded men 
on their horses and lead them. I happened to be one 
of the lucky ones. The General said, "Take what you 
can now, boys, and I will come back for the rest of 
you." 

All this time we were inside the rebel lines, the 
lines having shifted during the night. We had gone 
half a mile when we heard heavy firing on our front. 
General Merritt ordered us otf the road into the 
woods, where we came to an opening and saw our skir- 
mish line across the open field, there being a break in 
the rebel lines at this place. AVe did not know till 
then we were inside their lines. The General ordered 
us to dash across the field for our lives. We got about 
half way across when the Johnnies discovered us and 
started to peg away at us. The orderly wanted me to 
dismount so he could get away faster, but I refused. 
He then said he would take me to an old barn that 
stood near our line and leave me, which he did, not 
behind but in front. He left me there and I gave up 



356 History of the 

all hope, being so badly wounded, having had nothing 
to eat or drink, and my wounds not having been 
dressed for the past twenty-four hours. 

I had lain there, as I had thought, hours, which was 
jDrobably only minutes, when I saw a head and shoul- 
ders coming around a corner of the barn and a carbine 
at his shoulders looking for a mark to shoot at. You 
can imagine my feelings when I recognized Sergt. Ike 
Collier of Company M. I called "Ike, Ike, Ike!" 
He came around and carried me back of the barn, and 
then there was a crying and hugging match. I don't 
believe I ever cried so hard and so much in such a 
short time in my life. I shall never forget as long as 
I live when I saw his face peep out from that corner 
of the barn. Ike got me on his horse and tried to get 
me to the rear, but it was impossible for me to stay on 
it. The horse was so used up he could not go unless 
he was led by the bridle, but I could not hold onto the 
saddle, so he had to hold me on ; then the horse would 
stop. Our lines were then being driven in, and I 
wanted Ike to leave me and make his own escape. I 
insisted very forcibly, but poor Ike said he would 
rather be taken prisoner than leave me. After falling 
off the horse three times. Eve took me on his back and 
toted me, as I thought, five miles, but Ike says it was 
only half a mile. He was leading his horse and keep- 
ing him between us and the flying bullets until we met 
an ambulance occupied by a lieutenant of the Fifth 
Michigan, in which we were conveyed to the rear and 
then sent to Sandy Hook, Maryland. 

God bless Ike Collier, is the earnest prayer of 

Thomas H. Kiernan-, 
Company M, Sixth New York Cavalry. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 357 

EXPERIENCE OF SERGT. LA. COLLIER 
OF M CO. 

On the morning of Sept. 3, 1864, we marched up the 
valley by way of the Winchester pike to near Port 
Jackson. We had a great deal of fighting all day. 
Abont nine or ten o'clock we were relieved from the 
skirmish line and went into camp for the night. A 
detail was made to go ont early in the morning to 
reconnoitre. Back to Berryville the road through 
which we were marching was quite low, high banks on 
either side. All at once we saw a man up on the high 
ground and he fired down at us. Capt. John Blunt, 
who was on Devin's staff, was with us, and took 
the first four men and deployed them on the high 
ground. We discovered about four or five hundred 
men coming up the slope on a charge at us. Blunt 
told Major Beardsley to form his men in the lot to 
receive the charge. We were in very bad state to 
make a stand against such large odds, but the boys 
stood nobly to their work, but could not stand such 
odds and were driven back across the field. Away 
back were a wood and a high fence. The entrance to 
this field was through a narrow passageway with a 
large post at each end. To the left was a corn-field. 
I rode to the edge of this field and had a fine view of 
the scrap that was going on. They were all trying to 
get through the narrow outlet each side of the post, 
and the Johnnies were having a great harvest in kill- 
ing, wounding and taking prisoners. I saw poor 
Stickland taken from his horse; also John Morrissey 
and many others, and I have often wondered how any 
man came out of that affair alive, because the whole 
of Early's army lay behind those woods. AVell, I 



358 History of the 

made up my mind that the jig was up with me. While 
I stood looking over the field I saw a rebel officer take 
six men and go back to a clump of woods. He would 
be in a fine place to pick up prisoners. The corn was 
very high and I thought I had better try and make my 
escape, so I started for the fence; what few of our 
men who had got away had gone down a lane or cow- 
path. The Johnnies had filed in and I was blocked. 
I pulled back in the corn-field and was trying to devise 
some plan to make my escape, when I heard the corn 
rattling and I said, "Good-bye, Ike." I stood per- 
fectly still, when a sergeant of Company I hove to. 
Our talk was low but quick. The officer with his six 
men we knew we must meet, but there was no time to 
lose. I rode up to the fence and pulled down two 
rails. It was the highest fence I thought I ever saw. 
I pulled my horse around and jumped over into a 
clear field, the Sergeant following me. Neither of us 
had a shot in his revolver. At the time there were 
three or four large fields before us, all well fenced in, 
and, as I expected, out of that clmnp of woods came 
the officer and his men, who tried to head us off, but 
we were too good on the run for them. Not one of them 
had a shot in his gun, but they were within talking 
distance of us. They shouted we were only damned 
fools ; they would kill us for running. I was not long 
in learning that as long as we could keep out of the 
reach of their sabres and our horses could keep up, 
they could not do us any injury. We went from one 
field to the other. Away south of us was a lane or 
cow-path that the regiment had come down. There 
was a rail off the fence, the only one in sight, and we 
made for it. Then we discovered two rebels follow- 
ing Beardsley's pack mule, the camp kettles flying in 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 359 

all directions, but tlie good old mule kept tliem busy. 
I had not bad my revolver out since I started this race 
for life. The two men who were after the mule 
stopped at the fence where the rail was off, and I said, 
''Now for a big bluff." I put my hand back and 
pulled my empty revolver out as if I were going to 
shoot their heads off; it worked like a charm; the two 
fellows flew back up the hill and let us make the jump, 
and we followed the mule. There was a small stream of 
water, and when I got over out of the way, I told them 
they were a lot of cowards and damned suckers, and 
they dare not come any farther. Right behind the hill 
were what few of the old boys were left with 
Major Beardsley, who was glad to see his old pack 
mule coming in. 

Major Beardsley told us to fall in, but I could not. 
The Michigan boys were just coming by and I said I 
was going to follow up and see if we could not get 
some of our boys back. I was with them on the skir- 
mish line. The rest of the day, most of the time, out- 
side our lines we were having some fierce fighting, 
and I don't see what brought me where I found Kier- 
nan. The time I was with the Michigan regiment I 
had not met any of our men. As I rode around an old 
barn I heard a weak voice crying to me to take him 
and not leave him there. Well, it was like the dead 
coming to me. I dismounted and lifted Kiernan onto 
my horse, but he was too weak and badly wounded 
to stay on him alone. I tried to lead the horse, but 
could not, as I had to hold him on the horse or he 
would have fallen off. So I put him on my back and 
did the best I could. He was bleeding and suffering 
so much that he wanted me to go on and leave him to 
his fate, but I said, "No, we are outside the lines, 



360 History of the 

and I must get you in someliow." After carrying him 
some distance I came across a lieutenant of the Fifth 
Michigan Eegiment, who was lying alongside the 
road wounded in the leg, who wanted me to leave 
Kiernan with him, as he had sent two of his men for 
an ambulance and expected it very soon, ]}ut I insisted 
that I would go on further and take no chances, and 
while we were discussing the matter, I heard the 
ambulance coming along the road. 

It seemed a very long day, and I thanked Grod when I 
got the poor fellows in the ambulance and on the road 
to safety. 

That night the balance of our regiment was detailed 
to guard the wounded to Harper's Ferry. After per- 
forming this duty we left Harper's Ferry for the 
front again by way of Charlestown, when we were met 
again by Mosby; my horse was shot and fell 
into a deep hole and in the fall broke my foot. They 
lowered a rope down to me and pulled me out, put me 
into an ambulance and sent me to Sandy Hook, Md., 
and when I landed in Philadelphia, I found twenty- 
seven of our company wounded in Chestnut Hill Hos- 
pital. 

New York, March 6, 1908. 
Sgt. Gilbert G. Wood, Toms River, N. J. 

My dear Comrade : 

In response to your request that I furnish some matter 
for insertion in the History of our old Regiment that you 
are compihng, I must admit that I was puzzled to know just 
what would prove acceptable. My duties as Quartermaster- 
sergeant from early in 1862 until after the Battle of Antie- 
tam prevented my participating in the battles and skirmishes 
in which the regiment was engaged, up to the time we went 
into winter quarters at Falmouth, Va., in the fall. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 361 

During- the winter folloAving, I was commissioned as Second 
Lieutenant, and detailed as Quartermaster of the regiment, 
and only a little later appointed Quartermaster of the Second 
Brigade, reporting thereafter directly to General Devin. 

I am, therefore, unable to report the movements of our 
regiment from personal observation, and, believing that these 
details Avill be furnished by officers and enlisted men very 
much better than I can do. concluded to ofit'er as my con- 
tribution a rough statement of some of the incidents I wit- 
nessed, and in which I participated, prior to and while serv- 
ing on the staff of General Devin. 

I regret, however, that in their narration I have been 
obliged to use the personal pronoun so frequently, but trust 
that, under the circumstances, it will be condoned. 

If, in your opinion, any of the material is of sufficient inter- 
est to incorporate in the history, I shall feel complimented 
by its acceptance. 

Yours very truly. 

J. B. "Wheeler. 



REMINISCENCES AND RECOLLECTIONS OF 

THE WAR OF THE REBELLION, FROM 

SEPT. 3, 1861, TO SEPT. 5, 1865. 

By Jerome B. Wheelee. 

I enlisted as a private in Company D, Sixth Regi- 
ment, New York Cavalry, at Troy, N. Y., Sept. 3d, 
1861, and a few weeks later joined my regiment at 
Camp Scott, Staten Island. 

Filled with patriotism and an earnest desire to 
learn all the duties of a soldier, I performed with 
alacrity the various duties of drilling, riding horses 
bareback to water, with only a halter to hold them, 
being run away with, and receiving numbers of falls, 



362 History of the 

but escaping serious injury, and performing other 
duties incident to camp life, I concluded that I was 
becoming a hardened soldier. 

With rations of corn-meal mush and molasses, 
washed down with a pint of black coffee, I was quite 
content until a large number of the men finally rebelled 
at the fare, and proceeded to "do up the cooks" and 
tear down the cook-house. Not until then did I realize 
that the contractors were not furnishing the kind of 
rations to which we were entitled. 

One day I was surprised to find myself a full- 
fledged corporal, and while on duty realized my great 
responsibility, particularly when responding to the 
call of ''Corporal of the Guard," or when ordered to 
march a squad of recruits to the cook-house. 

In the late fall the regiment moved to York, Pa., 
and went into winter quarters. While here I was 
appointed Quartermaster Sergeant of the First Bat- 
talion, and, believing it would add dignity to the posi- 
tion to cultivate a mustache, I made frantic efforts to 
accomplish this, but met with ignominious failure. 

The citizens of York were very kind to us, and finally 
on Christmas Day furnished each man of the regi- 
ment with a large and succulent up-to-date Pennsylva- 
nia pie. This was most touching, particularly to our 
internal anatomy. 

Our next move towards the front was to Perryville, 
Md., on the Chesapeake Bay. While here four com- 
panies, D, H, K and F, received their mounts, and left 
for service with different commands of the Army of 
the Potomac. 

In the spring we were ordered to AYashington, D. C, 
where we arrived May 12, 1862, and remained there 
until June 26th, when we moved to Cloud's Mills, Va. 



Sixtli New York Cavalry. 363 

In July the remainder of the regiment was mounted, 
and on July 24th the eight companies, under command 
of Colonel Devin, started on the march for Barnett's 
Ford on the Rappahannock Kiver, arriving on July 
30th. 

While stationed at this point I was kept busy pro- 
curing forage from the surrounding country. In mak- 
ing these trips I was generally accomi)anied by an 
enlisted man of our regiment named Otto, a native of 
Kentucky, who later developed into a valuable scout. 
There were few roads or trails for miles north of the 
Eappahannock River with which we were not familiar, 
and later this knowledge enabled us to guide troops 
by the shortest routes. 

The regiment was engaged in picket duty, and occa- 
sionally detachments would be sent on short scouting 
expeditions. Nothing of particular interest occurred 
until Aug. 20th, when our i)ickets on the south side of 
the river were driven in by a small force of the 
enemy's cavalry. The whole command immediately 
crossed the river and, after a slight skirmish, forced 
the enemy to retire. The casualties were light on 
both sides, but what made the incident of importance 
was the fact that it was the first time this portion of 
the regiment had engaged the enemy, as prior to this 
only a few guerrillas had been encountered. 

Detachments of troops from the Army of the Poto- 
mac began to arrive on July 21st, and our command 
soon after moved via Falmouth to Aquia Creek, where 
it embarked for Washington, arriving on Sept. 5th. 

Lee's army was in Maryland, and our regiment was 
soon on the march for Frederick, where it arrived on 
Sept. 12th, and w^as received with great enthusiasm by 
its citizens. 



364 History of the 

The Army of the Potomac had arrived and, pre- 
ceded by the cavalry, was steadily pressing the enemy 
back through Middletown toward South Mountain. 

The weather was beautiful, the roads in splendid 
condition, and on all sides the country was gorgeous 
with fields of ripened grain and orchards teeming 
with fruit. As we gained the crest of a hill and 
secured an unobstructed view of the valley, with fields 
of golden grain and verdant pastures stretching far 
to the west, even to the base of the Blue Eidge Moun- 
tains, the roar of heavy guns and the rattle of mus- 
ketry were unheeded for the moment in the contem- 
plation of this magnificent panorama, and in the 
words of our poet, AYhittier, was "fair as the garden 
of the Lord." 

This was the first real battle in which our regiment 
had been engaged, and the bursting shells and volleys 
of musketry were a new sensation to us. 

My first experience in receiving attention from a 
battery of the enemy was on the afternoon of Sept. 
14th, when, with two others, I was watching our infan- 
try skirmishers advancing across the fields near the 
base of South Mountain. Suddenly a shell burst in 
a rail fence a little to the right of us; presently 
another burst about two hundred feet in front of us, 
which was quickly followed by a third that passed 
directly over and close to us, exploding a few yards to 
our rear. 

I awoke to the realization that we were the target 
for that gunner, and his next shell, unless we moved, 
would score a hit ; so we quickly mounted and rode to 
the left, out of range of this particular gunner. We 
soon reached a part of the field where our infantry 
were hotly engaged, and where Major-general Keno 



Sixth New York Cavalry. .')G5 

had been mortally wounded a short time previous. 
This was near the lower end of a lane running 
between stone walls up the mountain, which a few 
hours later, after a desperate fight, was carried by our 
infantry. Thereafter this was called '' Bloody Lane." 

The Battle of Antietam followed on Sept. 17th. On 
the morning- of the battle, in company with my friend 
Otto, I rode to a x)osition where several of our bat- 
teries were posted, which was a short distance in the 
rear of our skirmish line. In the distance a column 
of the enemy's infantry could be seen standing at 
rest, apparently being held in reserve. Here I saw a 
gunner in one of our batteries make some remarkably 
accurate shots. He carefully trained his gun on this 
column, and dropped the first shell in the centre of it, 
and repeated it with three consecutive shells. I could 
plainly see the gap each shell made in the column. 
Not a gun replied from the enemy's batteries while 
this gun was being fired, but suddenly we found our- 
selves in an enfilading fire that was most disastrous to 
both our artillery and infantry, a great many shells 
passing over us and exploding in the columns of the 
latter, killing and wounding a large number of our 
men. 

Then followed the battle that ended the same night 
with the enemy defeated, and the field occupied by our 
victorious army. Little fighting followed, and the 
Army of the Potomac, still commanded by Greneral 
McClellan, instead of following up its advantage by 
seriously crippling and possibly capturing the bulk 
of Lee's army, remained inactive. General Miles' 
command at Harper's Ferry was captured on Sept. 
15th with all the munitions of war stored at that im- 
portant and strategic point, and Lee later moved his 



366 History of the 

entire army to the south bank of the Potomac Eiver, 
ahnost nnmolested. Thus a golden opportunity was 
lost, and all due to the timidity and lack of pluck on 
the part of General McClellan. Had General Sheri- 
dan been in command, it is safe to say that only a dis- 
organized remnant of Lee's arnw would have escaped 
into Virginia. 

A few weeks later the Army of the Potomac, under 
the command of General Burnside, was encamped on 
the left bank of the Eappahannock River, opposite 
Fredericksburg, and our regiment was principally 
engaged in picketing fords of that river to the west- 
ward. 

Finally, on Dec. 13th, occurred the Battle of Fred- 
ericksburg. Preceding the real battle, much ammuni- 
tion was expended in an effort to dislodge the enemy 
from their rifle-pits on the opposite side of the river 
and the sharpshooters stationed in houses fronting the 
street that ran parallel with the river. 

General Devin's headquarters were located about 
half a mile back from this point, which was about the 
centre of the east side of Fredericksburg. Late in 
the afternoon of Dec. 12th, Berdan's sharpshooters 
were stationed on the high bank overlooking the 
enemy's rifle-pits, and tried to protect the Engineer 
Corps in its efforts to build a pontoon bridge at this 
point. 

I was not under orders to be present, but found 
myself prone, behind a stump, watching with a great 
deal of interest the efforts to construct the bridge, as 
well as Colonel Berdan's men, who were making it un- 
comfortable for the enemy's sharpshooters, many of 
whom were stationed at the windows of the houses 
opposite. Occasionally the sound of breaking glass 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 367 

was almost a sure sign that tlie bullets of our sharp- 
shooters had proved effective. 

The distance to the enemy was very short; one 
could almost throw a stone to their rifle-pits, so it can 
be imagined that all had to keep well under cover to 
avoid being picked off. Curiosity finally overcame 
my prudence, and I raised my head above the stump 
for an instant, but it was ample time for a watchful 
sharpshooter to try for me. His bullet came straight, 
but a trifle too high, and passed close to my head with 
a vicious sip. I lost no time in ducking below the top 
of the stump. I do not remember what prayer I 
uttered; it may have been "Now I lay me down to 
sleep," or "Praise God, from whom all blessings 
flow," but I was truly thankful for my narrow escape. 
Thereafter I had no love for sharpshooters ; they get 
on one's nerves. 

Soon after, cautiously peeping on one side of the 
stump, I observed some of our infantry embarking in 
two pontoon boats, and strangely, without molesta- 
tion by the enemy. Firing on both sides of the river 
ceased at once, and the silence was most intense as the 
men lay down in the boats, their muskets by their 
sides, and their hands reaching up to grasp the oars. 
Only a young officer was exposed. He sat erect in the 
stern of one of the boats, and in a clear, firm voice 
directed the concealed rowers with ' ' to the right, " "to 
the left," "straight away," "steady." It was the 
highest type of bravery, sublime, magnificent. Here 
was a hero. In the excitement of a charge each man 
believes he will escape death, but here was no escape 
from it if the enemy fired, and he knew it. I stood up 
and with quickened pulse and bated breath awaited the 
fatal bullet, but it did not come. There were chival- 



368 History of the 

rous Confederates g-uarciiiig tliat rifle-pit, and they 
could not deliberately take the life of a man of such 
magnificent courage. Finally the first boat reached 
the shore, and the men, grasping their muskets, leaped 
out, but the enemy's rifles, silent so many minutes, 
now rang out in a volley, and the foremost men were 
dead before they touched the shore. Both boats 
arrived almost simultaneously, and the survivors 
charged gallantly over the rifle-pits, killing and scat- 
tering those who had so bravely defended them for 
nearly a whole day under a storm of shot and shell. 

Then with a cheer our men rushed down to assist in 
building the pontoon bridge. The boats were in posi- 
tion, and the supports for the flooring were in place 
by the time I arrived with a floor plank, and as the 
crowd was so dense behind me, I had no alternative 
but to run over the supports to the other side of the 
river. 

The bridge was built just to the north of a street 
running perpendicular to the river, and the enemy's 
batteries were posted so as to command this street. 

After a lapse of forty-five years, I distinctly remem- 
ber standing with my back to the wall of a brick dwell- 
ing watching the completion of the bridge, and it 
seems to me that not more than ten minutes had 
elapsed, after I crossed, when it was completed and a 
column of our infantry was passing over it. 

By this time shot and shell were falling in the street 
and river at a lively rate, but fortunately with few 
casualties to the troops crossing. I felt secure until a 
projectile struck the inner base of the wall against 
which I was leaning and, thinking it a shell, I did 
some lively sprinting to avoid its explosion. That is 
all I can remember about the fighting that night, and 



Sixth New York Cavalry. ^69 

when or how I recrossed the river I have not the 
slightest recollection. 

The 'following day occurred the battle, and the ter- 
rible and needless shmghter of onr troops ; then the 
retnrn of the survivors and wounded to our old camps. 

Unfortunately, General Burnside took the initiative 
by pressure from his superiors, and unquestionably 
against his best judgment; and could he have delayed 
his movements until the conditions of the roads made 
it possible to attack Lee's army by a flank movement, 
instead of a front attack against impregnable fortifi- 
cations, the result might have been quite different. 

A little later General Burnside was relieved and 
General Hooker succeeded to the command of the 
Army of the Potomac. 

In the latter part of December, 1862, Colonel Devin, 
then in command of the Second Brigade, summoned 
me to his tent and handed me a commission as Second 
Lieutenant of Company A, saying as he did so, "Now 
I want you to earn it," and continuing said, "I want 
you and Otto to take a Union man, a spy, into the 
enemj^'s lines, and I have detailed a company to 
accompany you to a point (mentioning it) beyond our 
lines, and it will be ready to start in an hour." It was 
then late in the afternoon, and nearly dark. 

The company of cavalry left us at a trail with which 
we were familiar, and we succeeded in passing the 
enemy's pickets a little later unobserved. We left the 
spy about midnight, and returned safely to the place 
where our escort had left us. We then feared trouble 
from our videttes, and when we reached a point near 
where we expected to find them, we concluded to 
announce our approach by singing, which we did 
loudly, if not sweetly. Soon we were challenged, and 

24 



370 History of the 

I dismounted and advanced to find a German who 
could speak scarcely a word of English, or understand 
it. He would not let us pass, but held us for a long 
time until the relief came around. The night was bit- 
ter cold, and we did not feel in the best of humor when 
conducted to the quarters of the Colonel of the regi- 
ment. As he was slow in getting up, our patience 
became exhausted, so finally we put spurs to our 
horses and, escaping the bullets that followed us, soon 
reached Colonel Devin's headquarters and made our 
report. 

Not hearing anything from the spy. Colonel Devin 
sent Otto, about ten days later, to endeavor to locate 
him. He succeeded in getting several miles south of 
the Eapidan River when he was captured, and had a 
very narrow escape from being hanged as a spy. His 
army clothing was all that saved him. Some months 
later he was exchanged, only to lose his life just 
before the Battle of Gettysburg. He was carrying a 
dispatch one night from General Meade to General 
Couch and, losing his way, stopped at a farm house to 
learn his location. A window was raised, and a Ger- 
man asked in a loud voice what was wanted. Otto, 
apparently believing he was talking to a disloyal man, 
who wished to apprise the enemy of his presence, 
threatened to shoot the German if he did not talk in a 
lower tone of voice, when the latter, believing Otto to 
be a rebel, stepped back in the room, and, securing his 
shot-gun, shot Otto dead. Upon examining Otto's 
body, he found the dispatch and, looking up General 
Couch, delivered it, and surrendered himself after 
relating all the circumstances. 

During the fall of 1863, among some new horses 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry/. 371 

issued to the regiment was a dark chestnut, which 
was selected for the use of General Devin. The latter 
was a little cautious about riding him, so several men 
at different times were detailed to exercise him, but 
all met with discomfiture. The animal, when he 
was unable to unseat his mount by fair means, would 
then rear up, expand his abdomen, break the saddle 
girth, and the rider would go sliding and bouncing to 
the ground. 

The chief bugler, a German, wanted an opportunity 
to tame the beast, and got it, but was soon dismounted, 
with no bones broken, but bruised and lamed badly. 
Then Lieutenant Easton, our amiable adjutant with 
the beautiful Scotch accent, believing he had a 
' ' cinch, ' ' took the animal in hand, but alas ! the rider 
and horse soon parted company, and I was surprised 
one day when his orderly brought the horse to me 
with a message from Friend Easton that I am unable 
to quote ; I have seen the words in ' ' Holy Writ, ' ' but 
never so picturesquely arranged. 

I named the horse ' ' Punch, ' ' and gave him into the 
hands of a good, careful man, and with a great deal of 
caressing and regular rations of sugar and salt,Ifinally 
won his friendship, which lasted until the close of the 
war. He showed no signs of viciousness, but occa- 
sionally when a "call of the wild" summoned him, he 
would promptly run away with me, and on two occa- 
sions I missed disaster by only a small margin. 

In the spring of 1863 General Hooker had perfected 
his plans to take the offensive against General Lee, 
and on April 28th the movement commenced by trans- 
ferring the bulk of the army across the Rappahan- 
nock Kiver to the vicinitv of Chancellorsville. Gen- 



372 History of the 

eral Stoneman was dispatched on a raid to the rear of 
Lee's army, while General Pleasanton and General 
Devin, with the Sixth New York, Eighth and Seven- 
teenth Pennsylvania regiments, and a light battery, 
represented the cavalry corps at the Battle of Chan- 
cellorsville. 

From April 28th to the 5th of May, which covered 
the period of the crossing of the army, the battle, and 
the return of the troops across the Rappahannock 
River, all four of these commands fought most gal- 
lantly, and suffered severely in officers and men killed, 
wounded and captured, the details of which will be 
written by members of our regiment more competent 
to do so than I, and I will state briefly the part I 
took in this battle. 

The first day was spent in bringing ammunition by 
pack animals to the front, and the balance of the time 
in performing staff duty with General Devin, which 
gave me an opportunity to see much of the battle in 
its various stages. I had a very busy afternoon's 
work when Jackson's corps stampeded most of the 
Eleventh Corps. I was directed to drive the men of 
the latter corps off the turnpike to make a passage for 
fresh troops that were rapidly marching to check 
Jackson's forward rush. With only my orderly, 
Abner New, I accomplished the business fairly well, 
paying no heed to the protests of these disorganized 
but blameless Germans as we whacked them over the 
shoulders with the flat of our sabres when they did 
not move off the road promptly. The poor fellows 
were too demoralized and panic-stricken to make any 
resistance, and were contented to continue their 
retreat through the woods on each side of the road. 

We were in little danger from the enemy at this 



Si.rtJi Neiu York Cavalry. 373 

time at this particular part of the field, as the fire was 
principally from their batteries and their shells passed 
over us, but raised the very devil with the brigade 
pack train in the woods toward the rear. 

My men in charge informed me later that when the 
shell burst among the mules they executed all sorts of 
stunts, some breaking away and dashing pell-mell 
toward the river, and others becoming so badly tangled 
up that they could not run, but lay in heaps kicking 
and braying to "beat the band," while others made 
frantic efforts to climb some of the surrounding trees, 
but were only partially successful ; but this latter state- 
ment I am inclined to doubt. 

On May 5th the army was again encamped on the 
north side of the river. Thus ended the Battle of 
Chancellorsville, and the less said about it the better. 
Its conception was faultless ; the crossing of the Kap- 
pahannock by the several corps, and the celerity with 
which they reached the positions assigned them, were 
perfect. Up to this point General Hooker had 
deceived and out-manoeuvred General Lee, but here 
Hooker failed to follow up his advantage and secure 
the key of the position, although he had hours in 
which to do so. Lee. soon discovered the blunder of 
his opponent, and quickly seized the point of vantage, 
and Hooker's great opportunity was lost, and disaster 
followed thick and fast, ending in defeat. 

In June, 1863, our cavalry had a very severe 
engagement with the enemy's cavalry near the town 
of Aldie, Va., in which the enemy was defeated. The 
command needing supplies badly at this time, I left 
camp on the morning of June 21st with the brigade 
train for Fairfax Station, arriving the same evening, 



37-4 History of the 

and immediately loaded the train to its fnll capacity. 
Early the following morning I started on my return, 
not waiting for an escort. About half way to Aldie 
I met the corj)s quartermaster with a large train, 
guarded by a detachment of cavalry. I said to him, 
"I am taking big chances traveling without an 
escort;" but he replied, "Oh, boom right along, the 
road is perfectly safe." After such assurance I felt 
a little easier, but when within five miles of camp, 
riding in front of the train, and feeling quite secure, I 
was suddenly startled by bullets whizzing past me, 
and turned in my saddle to see Mosby's men captur- 
ing the train (Mosby and thirty men, as I learned a 
little later). Wishing to avoid capture I gave my 
horse the spurs, but had gone only about three hun- 
dred yards when I discovered a detachment of twenty 
men and two officers of the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry in 
the woods near the road, unsaddled and resting their 
horses. In about five seconds I was begging them to 
saddle up and help me. They responded eagerly, and 
I immediately returned to the road to find one of 
Mosby's men covering me with his revolver. I had 
mine ready for business, but fearing a shot b}'^ either 
of us would bring down the rest of the crowd upon the 
detachment before it was saddled (as at that time I 
did not know the force of the enemy), pointed my 
revolver at him and said in a low tone of voice, but 
assuming as fierce an expression as possible, "If you 
fire, I will shoot you dead," and I'm blessed if he did 
not lower his weapon, but instantly covered me again. 
I thought quickly that it was all up with me and the 
train was lost, but I again tried the "bluff," and when 
he failed to fire, immediately closed with him, took his 
revolver, hustled him into the woods, and turned him 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 375 

over to one of the men. By that time the officers and 
nine men were ready, and to my call to "come on," 
they promptly followed me. The teams had all been 
unhitched, and were being driven to the rear by the 
unwilling teamsters. I realized that I must get 
through and head them off, and I was soon pushing 
through the crowd, firing to the right and left as I 
passed. My marksmanship was nothing to brag 
about, and shooting at one of the enemy I killed his 
horse, takiiig the man's revolver in the meantime. I 
placed my revolver at the breast of one burly fellow 
armed with a carbine, but it missed fire, and he looked 
happy as I passed on. Part of Mosby's men were at 
the rear of the train and did not make a stand, but fled 
down a side road so quickly that they left a few of 
their caps, decorated with feathers, behind them. I 
was naturally very much excited and mad as a hor- 
net, and gave pursuit, but after riding a short dis- 
tance an officer of the detachment, who had followed 
me close, calling a halt, I concluded to take his advice. 
I returned to the train to find my loss one man and 
one team, and on our side we had captured six prison- 
ers and killed two of their horses, so honors were 
about even. We arrived at camp about dusk, with no 
further trouble. 

I did not realize the comical side of this scrimmage 
until, passing the headquarters of General Buford a 
little later in the evening, I heard one of his staff say, 
"If you fire, I will shoot you dead," followed by bois- 
terous laughter. How he learned about it I am 
unable to say, unless the prisoner I captured gave it 
away. 

However, there were compensations, for the skir- 
mish was the means of renewing a friendship with the 



376 History of the 

officers of the Third West Virginia detachment, serv- 
ing with our brigade, who had for some time mani- 
fested great coohiess toward me, for the next morning- 
Captain Conger, their senior officer, came bouncing 
into my tent, shouting, "We forgive you, J. B., we 
forgive you, after that affair of yesterday." I 
replied, "Why should I need your forgiveness? What 
have I done?" "Why," he said, "you abandoned 
our wagon with all our goods and supplies when we 
fell back from the Rappahannock." I replied, "You 
are mistaken. On the contrary, when the axle broke, 
I had a strong support placed securely under the axle, 
and waited until I saw the wagon moving along with 
the train." Afterwards, and without my knowledge, 
it broke down again, and our division Quartermaster, 
a poor representative of the children of Israel, 
ordered it abandoned and burned. 

Dear old Conger, how he hated the rebels, and 
always seemed most happy when fighting them. 
On one occasion, while both of us were lying 
behind a rail fence on the north side of the Eapidan 
Eiver, watching the enemy on the opposite side, who 
were shelling our cavalry back in the woods, he said, 
"By the gods, I wish a rebel stood in front of us this 
minute, so I could have a hand-to-hand fight with 
him," and it was not braggadocio, for he was brave to 
a fault. Poor fellow, he lost his life in such an 
encounter, only there were odds of three against him. 

The Battle of Gettysburg lasted from the 1st to the 
3d of July, 1863, ending on the latter date. Preced- 
ing the battle I was hastening to join the command at 
Frederick, Md. I barely missed capture by General 
Stewart's cavalry, several of his scouts leaving a 



Sixth New York Cavalry. ?>11 

town tliroiigli which I passed, a short time before I 
entered it. I hurried an orderly forward to General 
Devin, and he sent a regiment to guard the train to 
Frederick, Md. 

While halting here, a man in citizen's dress was 
arrested under the suspicion that he was a spy of the 
enemy, but he was released without being searched. A 
little later Charles Whitney saw him and reported to 
Adjutant Easton (if my memory serves me) that he 
believed the man was a spy, and I believe it was the 
Adjutant who again arrested him. This time he was 
searched, and maps showing the position of our forces 
were found upon him. A drum-head court-martial 
was held, and he was convicted and hanged on a tree 
near the roadside, and his body still hung from the 
tree when we left the following day. 

Here I desire to say a few words about General 
Buford, who commanded our First Division. Prob- 
ably no officer of the Cavalry Corps was more hon- 
ored, respected and loved than he; a most gallant 
and efficient officer, of a pleasant and genial nature, 
cool in action, and always quick to see mistakes of the 
enemy and to take advantage of them. His move- 
ments were planned with deliberation and executed 
most brilliantly, but never coupled with rashness. At 
Gettysburg he was fully alive to the gravity of the 
coming battle, and the evening before the arrival of 
General Hill's corps, while he and General Devin 
were reconnoitring the country from a belfry in 
Gettysburg, and General Devin said, "I will hold back 
all the enemy that confronts me to-morrow," General 
Buford replied, "No, no, Devin, for they will come 
a-whooping and a-booming," and that was just what 



378 Historif of the 

occurred. A friendship strong and sincere existed 
between these officers, and only ended with the death 
of General Bnford at Washington, D. C, Dec. 16th, 
1863. 

On Oct. 10th, 1863, the Cavalry Corps, which had 
been in camp near Cnlpeper, Va., started on a recon- 
noissance toward the Eapidan River. I had just accu- 
mulated a large supply of Quartermaster's stores, 
including clothing, and was on the point of issuing 
same to the brigade, when it received orders to march. 
I presumed the command was to return, so sent the 
brigade train, heavily loaded with supplies, with it, 
and remained to look after the stores. 

And now occurred an incident which saved the 
stores from capture or destruction, and the credit is 
due entirely to Abner New, one of my orderlies. I 
had just finished supper, and was sitting by a camp- 
fire, when he remarked, "Suppose the army is going 
to fall back, and that the cavalry have gone to hold the 
enemy in check during the backward movement." I 
jumped to my feet, and said, "Great Scott, I believe 
that is what is transpiring; saddle our horses quick- 
ly," and we were soon speeding to Cnlpeper, about a 
mile distant. Upon arriving I found everything in 
confusion, and, finding the Chief Quartermaster, asked 
the cause of the excitement, and he replied, "The 
army is going to fall back at once." I explained 
about my stores, and he at once assigned a number of 
cars to me. I had two wagons and teams, and by day- 
light the next morning had all the stores on the cars, 
except a large supply of horse and mule shoes and a 
large quantity of blacksmith coal. I piled all the 
kegs of shoes on the coal, and in a few minutes had a 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 379 

roaring fire tliat a strong breeze changed to furnace 
heat, and before we left, the shoes were a glowmg 
mass of molten iron, and not available for the enemy's 
cavalry. The same evening we were across the Rap- 
pahannock and joined the brigade the following day. 

October loth, 1863, was an anxious day for me. Our 
wagon trains were strung out for miles on a narrow 
road, and our cavalry had great difficulty in holding 
the enemy in check, who were bent on capturing our 
trains. The difficulty of guarding them was enhanced 
by the long halts occasioned by broken bridges at the 
crossing of small streams in our front. 

Sharp fighting was constantly occurring in our 
rear, and on one occasion the enemy's cavalry were 
only prevented from breaking through by the prompt 
and gallant action of Major Gating. He saw the 
enemy with a force superior to his own making prepa- 
rations for a charge. He realized that unless he could 
make a countercharge before they were in readiness, 
his small force would be defeated. Making his 
way quickly to General Buford, who was near with a 
battery guarded by twenty-five men, he said, "Gen- 
eral, let me have your detachment." General Bu- 
ford replied, "Why, Gating, I shall lose my battery." 
To which he replied, "You will lose it anyway if I do 
not have those men." "Well," said the General, 
"take them, then." Gating, with this little reinforce- 
ment, quickly charged, and the enemy was routed 
completely. 

Gallant Major Gating some months later, while 
carrying an important dispatch across country, accom- 
panied by a few men, turned into a road, and most 
unexpectedly came upon a force of the enemy's cav- 



380 TUstory of the 

airy that liad halted in the woods near by. He 
saw it was useless to turn back, so concluded to 
force his way through those of the enemy, who had 
reached the road. Quickly chewing and swallowing 
the dispatch, he charged. The first man he encoun- 
tered fired, and at the same instant his horse threw up 
his head and received the bullet in his forehead, and, 
in falling, caught Gating in such a way that the pum- 
mel of the saddle was forced with great weight against 
his stomach. He and all his men were captured, and 
sent to Libby Prison. 

Major Gating was finally exchanged, and fought 
gallantly to the close of the war, only to die later at 
his home from the effects of the injury received when 
his horse fell upon him, as above described. 

Finally, the train became stationary for an hour or 
more. I was standing on rising ground, about two 
miles from Bristow Station. General Devin was 
seated a short distance away, and a little to the rear 
stood our brigade battery. I was fretting and fum- 
ing at the delay, and finally rode with my orderly, 
Gharles "Whitney, down a road towards Bristow Sta- 
tion, where there was a desultory fire of musketry. 
I had gone half way, when I was startled by very 
heavy musketry firing at the station, and there 
appeared to be a serious battle in progress. Batteries 
were moving rapidly, and wagons and ambulances 
hurrying pell-mell in our direction. Soon a cavalry- 
man came galloping down the road. I stopped him, 
and asked what was the trouble. "Why, the right 
wing of the rebel army has captured Bristow Sta-^ 
tion," he replied, "and is coming up this road." It 
really looked like it, and without stopping to investi- 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 381 

gate, I lost no time in getting back, and as I reached 
General Devin, shonted, "My train is gone now, snre; 
the right wing of the rebel army is coming np this 
road," and then, pointing to a position, I said, "Place 
your battery there, sir!" With a peculiar expression, 
he said, ''Mr. Wheeler, tell Colonel Sackett to bring 
up his regiment at a trot." I found the Colonel at a 
point where the trees obstructed the view of Bristow 
Station, and as we trotted along I unfolded my "tale 
of woe." He listened a moment, and then said, 
"Yankee muskets there, J. B., Yankee muskets 
there." And that was correct, for by the time we 
reached General Devin, the firing had almost ceased, 
but I noticed with a great deal of satisfaction that the 
battery was in the position I had indicated, but not 
until after time for reflection did I realize my 
asinine behavior. General Devin never referred to it, 
but it was a long time before I could look him sciuarely 
in the eyes again, and the members of the staff acted 
quite decently and let me off easily. 

I afterwards learned that the enemy and our troops 
made a race for the railroad embankment, which our 
troops won, and repulsed the attack at that point. So 
my train was not lost after all, and at 3 a.m. the next 
morning it was safely parked at Fairfax Station ; and 
plastered with mud and nearly done up, I lay down on 
the ground and slept soundly until morning. 

From May 5th, 1864, when the army crossed the 
Eapidan River, until June 26th, when we crossed the 
James River, at Windmill Point, my duties were most 
strenuous and varied. I was detailed for extra duty 
from not only corps but army head(iuarters as well. 

On Mav 8th I received orders to gather the wounded 



382 History of the 

on our right flank, and take them via Fredericksburg 
to our base of supplies at Belle Plain. It was a very 
painful duty, and the cries from the wounded, as they 
were borne in the rough army wagons, were heart- 
rending. Many times I was implored by men to leave 
them behind to die in peace, but I could only continue 
on. Fiuall}", I reached Fredericksburg, and was at 
once placed in charge, by one of General Meade's 
staff, of all the transportation and wounded at that 
place. 

The pontoon train was slow in arriving, and it was 
dusk before we were able to cross the Eappahannock. 
There were small bands of the enemy between the 
river and Belle Plain, and I could only secure a guard 
of twenty-five mounted men before starting. 

The roads were in bad condition, and the old land- 
marks obliterated, making progress in the dark most 
difficult. At points where the road ran through a 
hilly section, they were made impassable by the fre- 
quent rains, and new roads had to be made around 
these places. At the most difficult points I was 
obliged to build large fires to light the way. Finally, 
about 3 a.m., our way was blocked at a stream where a 
bridge had been washed away, and I was obliged to 
park the train until daylight. The suffering of the 
wounded was terrible, but I was powerless to proceed, 
and I hope I shall never again experience the fatigue, 
anxiety and pain that I suffered that night. At day- 
light the bridge was built, and in a short time we 
arrived at Belle Plain. 

After delivering the wounded to the surgeons I 
immediately loaded the trains with supplies, and 
rejoined the army below Fredericksburg. 

On May 22d I arrived at a place called Villsboro, 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 383 

and at the earnest request of a Southern family, who 
were greatly alarmed by the presence of General 
Burnside's colored troops, I pitched my tents under 
the trees near their house, and placed guards there, 
and also at another house adjacent. The troops had 
appropriated all their food, and they were in a suffer- 
ing condition. It was two nights and one day before 
the troops at this point moved forward. The two 
Southern families begged me to leave guards with 
them for a short time, so I left Price, my clerk, and 
Smith, my orderly, with positive instructions to leave 
immediately the rear guard of the army came up. 
Unfortunately, they listened to the persuasions of 
these Southern people to remain all night, and in the 
morning were both captured, and their horses and 
equipments taken from them, despite the appeals of 
these Southern people. The men were not taken pris- 
oners, however, and in a few days a Confederate 
scout, a friend of these people, conducted them north 
into our lines. I found them both at Harper's Ferry 
some months later, doing service as infantry, and very 
happy were they to rejoin me. 

On May 26tli I received orders from army head- 
quarters to proceed with trains from the several corps 
to Port Eoyal on the Rapjiahannock, our new base of 
supplies, and was informed that a regiment of regular 
cavalry would escort the train. The trip was consid- 
ered quite hazardous, as the enemy's cavalry were 
quite active on our flanks. I immediately directed my 
clerk, E. Harris Jewett, to write a communication to 
the officer commanding the escort, stating at what 
point to meet me, and then carelessly signed it. About 
an hour later an officer came riding up to me, and 
angrily asked if I had written the paper he held in his 



384 History of the 

hand. I reached out to take it, but he said, "You 
can't have it/' but held it so I could read it. I saw at 
once that Jewett had written an order instead of a 
request. I immediately apologized, earnestly and 
fully. He replied, in an angry and insulting manner, 
that he wanted me to understand that he took orders 
from no quartermaster. I then said, "I made an 
error, and have apologized, and now if you are not 
satisfied, you can go plumb to the devil. In twenty 
minutes the train starts for Port Eoyal, and if your 
command is not on hand to guard it, it proceeds with- 
out 3^ou." When, after the lapse of twenty minutes, 
I arrived at the head of the train, I found Mr. Officer 
awaiting me. The advance guard and pioneers were 
in position, the flankers deployed, and everything in 
readiness as far as he was concerned. 

I ordered the train to start about 3 p.m., and the 
balance of the day very few words were exchanged 
between us. Finally, at dusk, I asked if this, pointing 
out a field, was not, in his opinion, a good place to 
park the train for the night. He replied, '*I have no 
suggestions to otfer. I am here to guard this train, 
and propose to do so wherever it halts." I at once 
ordered the train to park in the place I had selected. 

The night passed without molestation, and the even- 
ing of the next day we arrived at Port Royal. I lost 
no time in loading up with supplies, and after a short 
rest, and breakfast, at daybreak we started on our 
return to the army, where we arrived in due time with- 
out accident or serious trouble. 

I will add that before the trip ended this officer 
in command of the regiment and I became warm 
friends. He was a gentleman, a capable and brave 
officer. First, he was angry at being detailed to escort 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 385 

a train to the rear, and the receipt of an order from a 
subordinate vohuiteer officer was the climax, and he 
had to vent his resentment upon somebody, and 
selected me as the victim, but later fully atoned for his 
rudeness. 

During some active fighting by the cavalry that cul- 
minated with the Battle of Trevilians Station, the 
trains of the Cavalry Corps were stationed at White 
House Landing, on the Pamunky River. On the 
morning of June 20th, sharp picket firing occurred in 
our front, and having a premonition that a serious 
effort was to be made by the enemy to capture this 
base of supplies, I did not wait for orders, but iname- 
diately put the train of the First Division in readiness 
to move. Soon the enemy's batteries opened on us 
from a hill in our front, and the fire was very severe, 
but fortunately none of the shells reached our ammu- 
nition wagons. By great good luck, two gunboats 
were stationed in the river near us, and they soon 
silenced the enemy's batteries, and the troops of Gen- 
eral Abercrombie, stationed in the rifle-pits surround- 
ing the landing, successfully held the enemy in check 
while the trains crossed the river out of range. The 
First Division train suifered no loss, and the only cas- 
ualty near me was the loss, by a bursting shell, of the 
horse of my orderly, the orderly escaping with only a 
severe shaking up. 

Our cavalry arrived about noon, and immediately 
engaged the enemy, which proved to be two divisions 
of cavalry that, by a short cut from Trevilians Sta- 
tion, had succeeded in reaching the landing a few 
hours ahead of our cavalry. It was a close call for 
us, and would, I think, have been successful but for 

25 



386 History of the 

the presence of the gunboats, for most of the infantry 
that occupied the rifle-pits were raw and inexpe- 
rienced troops. Although there was sharp fighting 
all the way to the James Eiver, the enemy was unable 
to damage us much, and on June 26th we crossed at 
Wind Mill Point without molestation. 

On July 13th I came near losing ni}^ orderly, Abner 
New, by drowning. He was swimming his horse in 
the James River and, getting into deep water, was in 
some way thrown oif, and not being able to swim, 
sank to the bottom. How many minutes occurred 
before I was notified at my tent, quite a distance from 
the river, I am unable to remember, but it certainly 
took me five minutes to get to the shore and undress, 
and another two or three minutes to dive and locate 
him. To my astonishment, when I brought him to the 
surface, he gasped, and with the assistance of several 
of my men, we got him to the shore, and in about 
fifteen minutes he was as chipper and bright as ever. 
The most remarkable part of it was his recovery, after 
being so long submerged. Evidently he was not born 
to be drowned. 

On Aug. 3d, 1864, the First Division of the Cavalry 
Corps embarked at City Point for Washington. I 
arrived with General Devin Aug. 5th, and imme- 
diately drew a full train of fifty wagons, loaded it 
with supplies, and on Aug. 6th sent it with our brigade 
to Harper's Ferry. This whole train, I regret to say, 
was later captured by Mosby, only a few miles south 
of Harper's Ferry. The teams were run off, and a 
large number of the wagons burned. I remained at 
Washington to receive the train of the First Division 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 387 

on its arrival from City Point. During its debarka- 
tion I learned that orders had been issued by the AVar 
Department to turn this train over to some infantry 
regiments. Captain Tallman, the division quarter- 
master, had arrived, but had not relieved me. I 
reported the situation to General Torbert, who was 
still in Washington, and he said, "Wheeler, you must 
not lose that train. ' ' I replied, ' ' Then give me a writ- 
ten order to take it to the front." His chief-of -staff 
immediately wrote the order, which the General 
signed. Immediately I went to work with a will, and 
by the afternoon of Aug. 13th the train was heavily 
loaded with supplies, and I was hurrying out of Wash- 
ington. 

Captain Tallman received a commission as Major 
on his arrival, and was celebrating the event. The 
order to turn over the train was addressed to Captain 
Tallman, and there was no Captain Tallman to be 
found. Fortunately for Tallman, he gave me no 
orders, and by the time the error had been discovered, 
and a correct order issued, I was out of reach. I trav- 
eled until dusk, made a short halt for supper, and then 
traveled all night, and to avoid orders from Washing- 
ton, took a route different from the one the War 
Department would expect me to take. Orders were 
very strict about moving without an escort, so I 
required all the quartermasters to give me a report of 
the numbers of fighting (I) men they had. I found 
we had a force of nearly fifty men, and posted them to 
the front and rear of the train. My guard was criti- 
cised by the citizens of Frederick as I passed through 
that town, but I assured them that i\\Qj were a husky 
lot of fighters. 

I reached the command at Berryville on Aug. 19th, 



388 History of the 

and General Merritt seemed particularly pleased to 
see me, for the men and horses were hungry and 
needed the supplies I had brought. 

Major Tallman was court-martialed later for dis- 
obedience of orders, but was acquitted by my testi- 
mony. I was punished by having the recommenda- 
tion of G-eneral Devin, endorsed by Generals Merritt 
and Sheridan, that I be commissioned an assistant 
quartermaster, blocked by General Meigs, chief 
quartermaster of the army, for the reason, as he 
stated later, that I failed to tell all I knew at the court- 
martial of Tallman, and he was quite right, but I was 
not disappointed. 

Soon after my arrival at Berryville the campaign in 
the Shenandoah Valley became quite active. General 
Sheridan was placed in command of all the forces, 
which was designated as the "Army of the Middle 
Military Division." He was very cautious, and 
manoeuvred very carefully until the auspicious time 
arrived, Sept. 19th, when Early's army was defeated 
at Winchester, and later driven up the valley as far as 
Staunton. 

The army soon returned to the north side of Cedar 
Creek, after first destroying all grain, hay and food 
supplies in the valley, to prevent Early's army from 
again subsisting on supplies drawn from that section. 
But Early returned, and on Oct. 19th surprised and 
attacked our army with great spirit, and succeeded in 
occupying our position before being checked. Fortu- 
nately, General Sheridan arrived early in the fore- 
noon, and shortly after night-fall Early's army was 
defeated and disorganized, and flying up the valley, 
hotly pursued by the Second Brigade and Captain 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 389 

Taylor's light battery, never to return again. On the 
morning of Oct. 19tli, when a few miles from the front, 
I heard heavy cannonading, but did not realize the 
gravity of the situation until stragglers made their 
appearance on the road, and reported that our army 
had been defeated and were falling back. This I 
hardly believed, but told my orderly, Charles Whit- 
ney, to make all haste to Winchester and inform Gen- 
eral Sheridan (who had arrived from Washington the 
previous evening) just what the rumors were. AVhit- 
ney reached Winchester just as the General was start- 
ing for the front, and delivered my message, which 
did not seem to disturb him in the least. I concluded 
to take chances, so parked my train, and soon after 
Sheridan passed me, I reported to General Devin for 
duty, and remained until after the defeat and rout of 
Early's army. 

The turnpike from Cedar Creek to Martinsburg dur- 
ing the month of October was made quite unsafe for 
wagon trains, by reason of the forays of Mosby. 

During the latter part of the month I left Martins- 
burg with my train, in company with several hundred 
wagons. One battery that was on its way to the front 
accompanied us, and in the train were fifteen pay- 
masters, in ambulances, also going to the front, to pay 
off the troops. There was a guard of about three 
hundred infantry distributed along the train. 

The Chief Quartermaster of our Cavalry Corps was 
present with an escort of twenty men of the Seven- 
teenth Pennsylvania Regiment of our brigade. When 
we were about ten miles from Winchester, he pro- 
posed that we push forward and not wait for the 
train. This, most fortunately, we did, for it was the 



390 History of the 

only tiling that saved the train from capture. We had 
only proceeded about a mile when we saw a squad of 
about twenty-five cavalrymen dash out of the woods 
in front of us and capture an ambulance containing a 
a general of infantry (as we afterwards learned) and 
move off to the side of the road. Our escort imme- 
diately opened fire, and quite a spirited skirmish took 
place. I at once dispatched my orderly to the train to 
notify the officer in command of the escort that Mosby 
was near, and to prepare for an attack. In the mean- 
time, Mosby 's men began to fall back, and, growing 
suspicious, we halted, when, presently, a force of from 
three to four hundred men dashed out of the woods. 
It was Mosby, sure enough, with his whole command. 
He had undoubtedly been informed that the train with 
the paymasters was going to leave that morning, and 
was bent on its capture. I was riding my horse, 
^^ Punch," and he promptly ran away with me in the 
direction of the enemy; I only avoided capture by 
running him into a rail fence, and now when I turned 
in the direction of the train, he performed the same 
tactics, and I was soon in advance of my friends. 
As I raised a hill behind which the train was parked I 
waved my hat and shouted, "Get ready, Mosby is 
coming ! ' ' 

I found the battery in position^ also the. infantry 
deployed (a mere skirmish line) a short distance in 
front of the train. At once I saw that a determined 
charge could not be checked by such a weak force. I 
pulled up in line with the infantry and said, "We can 
whip those men, but you must pump lead into them for 
all you are worth," and then thought to myself, 
"Good-bye, paymasters." In about three minutes 
Mosby 's force appeared on the crest of the rising 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 391 

ground, about three liiindred yards distant, but, to our 
great astonishment, halted, and making a quick "right 
about," before an effective volley could be tired by the 
infantry, disappeared from view, and by the time we 
had reached the crest, were out of range, and in a few 
minutes were out of sight, making no further effort to 
capture the train. This was the intrepid leader, so 
called by many, who failed to put up any kind of 
fight to capture what was probably the richest train 
that ever went u}) the Shenandoah Valley. 

Probably the most distasteful duty the cavalry had 
to perform was the burning of grain, barns and flour 
mills, and seizing all domestic stock in the Shenan- 
doah, Luray and Loudomi Valleys, loyal and disloyal 
people suffering alike. It was a cruel but necessary 
measure. 

One fine old loyal Quaker gentleman in Loudoun 
County, Mr. Mansfield, who had often entertained 
General Devin and his staff, had a fine residence and 
large flour mill, and on this occasion, when General 
Devin drew near, Mr. Mansfield came to the road and 
invited the General to dismount and take some 
refreshments. '■'■No, sir," he replied, "the food would 
cJioke me." Then, in a gruff voice, he said to Adju- 
tant-general Mahnken, "Mr. Mahnken, fire Mr. Mans- 
field's mill;" then, turning to Mr. Mansfield, said 
most gruflfly, "Mr. Mansfield, you had better have 
some buckets of water ready in case your house 
should take fire," and giving spurs to his horse rode 
quickly away. Adjutant Mahnken inmiediately piled 
dry wood against the mill, ignited it, saw it blazing, 
then mounted and was soon out of sight. Mr. Mans- 
field was not dull by any means, and quickly used the 



392 History of the 

water ready at hand to extinguish the flames. When 
Adjutant Mahnken rejoined the General, the latter 
said, "Mr. Mahnken, did you fire that mill!" "Yes, 
sir," replied Adjutant Mahnken. "Did you see it 
burning?" "Yes, sir," again the Adjutant replied. 
<■ <■ Very well, very well, ' ' the General answered. 

Thus General Devin was made happy, and a loyal 
man fully repaid for his generous hospitality. 

General Devin 's military career, when the absence 
of a West Point education is considered, was most 
remarkable. If he had faults, I know of none more 
conspicuous than that of extreme modesty, and his 
tardy promotion was due almost entirely to that trait 
in his character. 

That his services and ability were recognized by 
Generals Grant and Sheridan was demonstrated when, 
by their recommendation, he was appointed to the 
same rank, and at the same time, as Generals Merritt 
and Custer in the regular arniy. 

His manner was at times brusque and stern, but he 
possessed a kind heart, and was always just, tender 
and sympathetic to those who merited such considera- 
tion. He despised a shirk, or one tainted with the 
least hypocrisy or dishonesty, but was quick to redress 
the wrongs of any officer or enlisted man in his com- 
mand. A Democrat politically, he was grandly loyal 
to his country and its flag. 

His memory will ever remain green in our hearts, 
and may the glorious sun forever warm, protect and 
nourish the tender and fragrant sentinels that beau- 
tify and guard his last resting-place. 

At Waterford, Loudoun County, two young ladies, 
perched on the wide gate-posts in front of their house. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 393 

waving American flags, said, as their liay was being 
destroyed, "Burn away, burn away, if it will prevent 
Mosby from coming here." One of the ladies after- 
wards married a Union officer, and, with an interest- 
ing family, is now residing in New York city. 

The Second Brigade soon after moved to Lovetts- 
ville, Loudoun County, and went into winter quarters. 
"We enjoyed a well-merited rest, varied by an occa- 
sional scout and skirmish with small detachments of 
the enemy's cavalry. 

There were also some pleasant experiences for 
some of us, as, for example, calling upon the Union 
families residing within a radius of two or three 
miles from the town. There was some risk of cap- 
ture, however, and we generally took along a few men 
for picket duty. This, however, came near ending 
when General Devin heard about it, as he ordered it 
discontinued. AYe felt very much disgruntled until 
the idea occurred to me to try and inveigle the Gen- 
eral. A fall of a few inches of snow had made excel- 
lent sleighing, and I had picked up quite a good 
double sleigh, so one day I called on the General and 
chatted about the fine sleighing and the sleigh I had 
secured, and finally suggested that he go with me to 
call upon a very hospitable family, including two 
charming daughters, residing about two miles from 
camp. I said, "It will be a pleasant outing, and I 
know you will enjoy it, and with a guard we shall be 
perfectly safe." He puffed away on his pipe a min- 
ute or so, and finally said, "It is a little dull, and I 
guess I need some fresh air." My sleigh was soon at 
the door, and a squad of ten men ready to accompany 
us. The call was a success, the hosts' wine and cake 



394 History of the 

most excellent, and fifteen minutes after our arrival 
the General was beaming and happy, and when the 
time came to return, he was inclined to think it was 
quite rude to leave so abruptly, until I assured him we 
had been there a full hour. 

While returning, I remarked it was so pleasant to 
break the monotony of camp life by occasionally mak- 
ing such calls, to which he assented most heartily, and 
the embargo on calling was raised thereafter. 

Shortly before Christmas the boxes of good things 
began to arrive from our homes. In the one I 
received I found that my dear old mother had included 
a keg of oysters. I immediately decided to invite my 
brother officers to a bang-up oyster stew, and directed 
my negro servant not to open the keg until I 
instructed him, and to have milk, crackers and every- 
thing in readiness when I told him to prepare the 
stew. As I remember, about thirty officers arrived at 
noon the following day, all tuned up for a good dinner. 
I then notified the cook to go ahead. In a few min- 
utes he came walking in with the cover removed from 
the keg, and said, "Am dese what you call 'istersT' 
I looked — the keg was filled with apple sauce. It was 
a terrible disappointment, and it was a long time 
before I heard the last of the incident. 

In order to furnish the command with supplies 
promptly and easily, also to transport passengers 
across the Potomac River to and from the Maryland 
side, I secured a number of pontoon boats and bateaus 
for that purpose. There was a Captain Brown (I will 
call him) who commanded an independent company 
of rangers. He resided at Waterford, Va., was mar- 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 395 

riecl, and his wife was a most estimable lady. The 
Captain was a good fellow, but very intemperate, and, 
being away from home most of the time, caused his 
wife great anxiety. One day, while at the river, Mrs. 
Brown came to me and asked if I had seen the Cap- 
tain lately. I replied that I had not. She then asked 
if I could have her taken across the river to the Mary- 
land side. I said certainly, and manned a pontoon 
boat, and accompanied her over the river. As we 
neared the shore, I saw the Captain standing on the 
bank, which was quite steep, but sloped gently to the 
river, and pointed him out to Mrs. Brown. As the 
boat touched the shore I assisted her out, and together 
we walked up the bank. As we approached the Cap- 
tain I observed that he was comfortably drunk, and as 
we reached him he lost his balance, tumbled backward, 
and went head over heels way to the edge of the river. 
It was a very comical sight, but as I noticed tears 
coursing down the lady's cheeks, I immediately 
checked the desire to laugh. The Captain rose to his 
feet, and slowly and laboriously walked up the bank, 
and approaching his wife until his nose almost touched 
hers, and assuming a most comical expression, said, 
"Xow, Julie, / suppose you think I did not do that on 
purpose." This was too niuch; I gasped, and 
coughed, then doffing my hat, fled to the shelter of a 
building near at hand, and laughed until my sides ached. 

Our command left the Loudoun Valley on Feb. 2-l:th, 
1865, and arrived at Winchester the evening of the 
25th, near which the balance of the Cavalry Corps was 
encamped. 

On Feb. 25th the new Colonel of our regiment, 
Charles L. Fitzhugh, arrived and took command. 



396 History of the 

The men sized him up and commented on his 
appearance qnite freely. One said, "Well, where did 
he come from, anyway!" ''Oh, he is a chap fresh 
from West Point," another replied. "Pretty well set 
np, and has a good head, and guess he's game all 
right," said another. "Bet yonr life," was the reply. 
"I wonder whether he takes his whiskey straight," 
said a third. "Not on your life," another replied, 
"did you ever see a fellow with wavy, crinkly hair 
drink whiskey?" "Oh, rats!" another replied, 
"that's just what makes his hair crinkly." 

I also sized him up, and mentally decided that he 
would run at the first fire of the enemy, and later this 
proved to be perfectly correct, for he not only ran so 
fast that the enemy were speedily overtaken and over- 
whelmed, but he incidentally gathered in a "star" at 
the same time, and if the war had lasted a few months 
longer, I'm blessed if I do not think he would have 
captured a companion to it. 

He commanded the regiment for only one brief day, 
and was then assigned to the command of the Second 
Brigade. 

Unfortunately, I was unable to march with the com- 
mand, and it was not my privilege to serve with him 
as a staff officer until after the Battle of Appomattox. 
After that date, and up to the time of the great review 
of the army at Washington, I met him daily, and was 
deeply impressed with his genial and bright per- 
sonality. 

His short but brilliant military career was followed 
by an equally successful business life, in which he 
earned not only a competency, but a host of warm 
friends as well. 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 397 

On Feb. 26tli, wliile making a quick and short turn 
on a street in Winchester, the borrowed horse I was 
riding fell on the slippery crossing and caught me 
under him. T was badly bruised and lamed, and was 
carried into a house near by. It was several days 
before I could be moved, and in the meantime the Cav- 
alry Corps was out of reach up the valley, and much 
to my disappointment and chagrin, I was obliged to 
return to Pleasant Valley, where the corps train had 
been ordered. As soon as I could ride I called upon 
General Stevenson, commanding at Harper's Ferry, 
and requested permission to join my command, but 
received a curt refusal. In the meantime, Lieut. John 
Muldoon, returning from hospital, joined me, and I 
succeeded in obtaining a pass and transportation for 
him to the front, and saw him depart with feelings of 
bitter disappointment. Soon after, I received a letter 
from General Devin, stating that orders for me to join 
him were on the way. I waited two days, but the 
orders not arriving, I took the General's letter to Gen- 
eral Stevenson and begged him not to hold me longer, 
and he finally gave his permission to leave. With my 
orderly, Charles Whitney, and a brother of Major 
McKinney, I started for City Point, April 5th, arriv- 
ing there April 7th. On April 8th, while waiting at 
the station at City Point, I was accosted by a pleasant 
elderly gentleman, who asked to what command I 
belonged, and where I was going. I replied that I 
belonged to General Sheridan's command, and was 
going to the front, if possible to get there. He said, 
"If you belong to Sheridan, and cannot get to him, 
you do not deserve to belong to his command. I am 
Senator E. B. Washburn. Put your horses in the car 
with mine, and we will go to the front together. ' ' 



398 History of the 

General Grant had ordered a passenger and a 
freight car for the accommodation of his staunch 
friend, the Senator, and my meeting him was most 
opportune. His kind offer was quickly accepted. I 
was greatly impressed by his manner, which was free 
and unconventional, and most genial. During the 
several days I was with him he conversed freely on 
many subjects, and that his conversation was interest- 
ing and entertaining goes without saying. 

Before our train reached Petersburg it was delayed 
by an accident, and we made a bridge of railroad ties, 
unloaded our horses, and rode to the city. We imme- 
diately paid our respects to General Warren, who 
occupied a large mansion, where he had been quar- 
tered since being relieved from his command, and 
then rode rapidly toward the front. The night of 
April 9th I spent with my men in a large barn, sivarm- 
ing uith rats, while the Senator found quarters with 
the General of a division of infantry. 

The following morning we reached our army and 
learned that General Lee had surrendered the pre- 
vious day, April 9th. 

It was a great disappointment not to have partici- 
pated in the last general engagement of the war, but 
fate decreed it otherwise. 

As I rode through Lee's army and conversed with 
officers and men, I felt more sympathy than resent- 
ment toward these men, and I believe this was the 
feeling that prevailed throughout our arm}^ 

On April 24th the Cavalry Corps moved from Peters- 
burg south to join General Sherman's army in North 
Carolina, but only reached the north side of the Dan 
Eiver April 28tli, when we learned of the surrender of 
Johnson's army. We started on our return march 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 399 

April 29tli, and arrived at Petersburg* May 3d, and 
went into camp on the north side of the Appomattox 
River. 

After a rest of a week we took up our marcli for 
Washington, D. C, and, passing through Richmond, a 
city about wliich we had heard so much, but that only 
a few of us had ever visited, we took the road to 
Washington, D. C, and went into camp between that 
city and Alexandria Ma)^ 17th. 

Then followed the grand review of the Army of the 
Potomac and the Army of the West May 23d and 24th, 
up Pennsylvania Avenue, and past the reviewing 
stand in front of the White House. 

A little later the regiment was ordered to Louis- 
ville, Ky., and after a short stay started on its last 
journey as a regiment for Elmira, N. Y., where it was 
mustered out of service Sept. 5th, 1865. 

Thus ended the brilliant service of the Sixth New 
York Veteran Cavalrv. 



MASSACHUSETTS AND STATE RIGHTS. 

The following experience of Comrade F. A. Easton 
(told by himself) is of interest to all students of the 
early days of the Civil War : 

The majority of Troop A of our regiment were 
recruited in Boston by Capt. Freeman Orne. After 
being mustered out of Company I, Fourth Massachu- 
setts Infantry (three months' troops), I concluded to 
reenlist in cavalry. 

Massachusetts was not recruiting for that arm of 
the service, but on Hanover Street an office was 
opened ostensibly for recruiting men for the regular 



400 History of the 

U. S. Cavalry. My name was enrolled in August, 
1861, and soon after I reported for duty at Staten 
Island, N. Y., as Orderly Sergeant of Troop A, un- 
assigned. It soon developed tliat we were to be 
known as New York troops. Many objected, and a 
few returned to Boston, 

Early in September I returned to Massachusetts on 
furlough, and while there received orders to arrest 
certain deserters, which I proceeded to do with the 
assistance of Sergt. Thomas French, and accompa- 
nied by Captain Orne. 

A few days after the return of the men to Staten 
Island, I was arrested in Court Square for "abduc- 
tion," and, being taken before the police court, 
pleaded ''not guilty," and asked for time to produce 
my orders. This was granted, but being placed under 
$500 bonds, and not knowing au}^ one whose surety 
would be accepted, I had the pleasure of riding to 
Cambridge Street Jail in the "Black Maria," and 
spent seven nights and six days in that institution. 

Mr. Perkins, proprietor of the Hancock House 
(now part of Young's Hotel), supplied my meals, and 
otherwise proved himself a friend. Of course, I was 
busy during the week, and kept the telegraph wires 
hot. 

The outcome of the trials is recorded further on. 

At the second trial. Governor Morgan sent a mem- 
ber of his Council to look after my interests. 

Without exception, the Boston papers supported me 
and denounced General Schouler, who, in justice be it 
said, later on did all in his power to make amends. 

I have preserved most of the clippings from the 
newspapers, but as they are much alike, print but two 
from the Herald and my letter to the Journal : 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 401 

AFFAIRS ABOUT HOME. 

The Folly op Enlisting in New York Regiments — Inter- 
esting Case in the Police Court — A Sergeant of the 
Ira Harris Cavalry Arraigned for Assault on a Private 
— He Claims that he was Acting under Orders. 

In the Police Court to-day, before Judge Wright, the con- 
tinued case of Orderly Sergeant F. A. Easton, of the Ira 
Harris Cavalry of New York, came up. He was charged with 
assaulting Private Wilson Pinkham of that regiment. 

Adjutant-general Schouler and one or two other witnesses 
for the governmeni testified to the effect that Pinkham and 
other men had been enlisted here for a New York regiment, 
without any authority from the State Government or from 
the Secretary-of-War ; that they had been misled by the false 
pretence that their families would be entitled to State aid 
from i\Iassaehusetts ; that Pinkham, after going to New York 
and finding that he had been deceived, came back here; that 
the defendant and others went to the house in the night, and 
arrested Pinkham, iLsing violence toward him and his wife; 
and that Pinkham was ironed and taken away by means of 
this force. 

The defendant was then allowed to address the Court, and 
spoke to the following effect : 

He was originally a Massachusetts man, and served in a 
]\Iassachusetts three months' volunteer regiment. Last sum- 
mer he was enlisted by Capt. Freeman Orme, now of the Ira 
Harris Cavalry, with the agreement that he was to go into 
a cavalry regiment in the regular army, and that he would 
be entitled to the State bounty. With this understanding 
he enlisted men. He soon found that he was not entitled to 
any aid from the State of Massachusetts, and that he and his 
men were destined for the New York volunteer service, and 
not for the reg-ular army. But having been sworn in, he felt 
that, however false the pretences under which he was enlisted, 
he had no right to desert. His present position was given 
26 



402 History of the 

him -without being solicited, and he felt bound to do his duty 
in it. Some of the Massachusetts men, however, deserted 
while he was Provost Marshal of Staten Island. A short time 
after he came on here on a furlough, and the day after 
Thanksgiving received a dispatch at Hingham to come at once 
to Boston and arrest Wilson Pinkham, a deserter. He came 
up and went to the latter 's house, but Elrs. Pinkham said her 
husband w^as not at home. Having no orders to search the 
house, he made inquiries as to his right to do so, and finally 
called on Adjutant-general Schouler at the State House. The 
latter told him if he arrested Pinkham he (the Adjutant-gen- 
eral) would have him arrested. The accused then tele- 
graphed for instructions, and the next day Captain Orme 
arrived and he had an interview with him. He had a letter 
from the Adjutant-general of New York to General Schouler, 
expressing the hope that the latter would not oppose the arrest 
of men who had deserted after being sworn into United States 
service. At 5 o'clock, by appointment, he met Captain Orme 
and Second Sergeant French at the Cummings House, where 
the defendant and Sergeant French were ordered by their 
captain to proceed to Pinkham 's house and arrest him. 

This order they of course obeyed. Pinkham said he would 
not go to New York, and finally Captain Orme was sent for. 
On his arrival he again directed Pinkham 's arrest, and the 
two sergeants effected it. While they were doing it, Mrs. 
Pinkham, who felt very bad, becoming somewhat violent, 
was restrained by defendant. At the door, Pinkham was put 
in defendant's charge, with orders to shoot him if he tried 
to escape, and to shoot any one who attempted to interfere. 
When entering the hack, the prisoner attempted to escape, 
and was told by the sergeant that if he stirred he would 
shoot him. He was taken to the Providence Depot, but, by 
Sergeant Easton's intercession was not then taken to New 
York. The defendant closed by saying: 

"Your honor, I do not deny the act, and I do not attempt 
to justify it. except so far as my own responsibility goes. I 
was acting under orders, which I was boiuid to ol)ey. I was 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 403 

enlisted under false pretences, but that does not remove my 
obligation. When I was sworn in, I took a solemn oath to 
obey all orders from superior officers, and I was bound to do 
so. For doing my duty thus, I have been imprisoned five 
days like a common criminal, refused liberty to communicate 
with my friends, and now am arraigned here for the crime 
of assault. If I had been ordered to shoot that man instead 
of to arrest him. I should have done it, if I had been hanged 
for it. If I had refused to obey Captain Orme's order, he 
would have had a perfect right, according to the rules which 
were read to me in camp, to shoot me on the spot. In the army, 
if a major-general gives a sergeant a peremptory order to do 
a thing, and half an hour afterward a lieutenant tells him 
not to do it, he has to obey the lieutenant. So I was bound 
to obey my captain, though Adjutant-general Schouler had 
said he would arrest me if I did. It is not my fault that I 
am not a Massachusetts volunteer instead of a New York 
one ; but I intend to do my duty wherever I am. ' ' 

The Adjutant-general explained that he had nothing against 
the defendant; Captain Orme was the man he most wished 
to get ; but he wished to test the question of law, whether men 
with shoulder-straps from New York had a right to enlist 
men here by false pretences. 

The case was continued till afternoon to allow Judge 
Wright to consult with his associates, and at the Adjutant- 
general's request, the defendant was released on his own per- 
sonal recognizance. 

Sergeant Easton conducted himself in court in a manner 
to win the good opinions of all present, and the outsiders all 
fell in with his reasoning as correct. 

The Charge Against Sergeant F. A. Easton, of the Ira 
Harris Cavalry — The Case Again Continued in the 
Police Court. 

In the Police Court, yesterday afternoon, the case of Ser- 
geant F. A. Easton, complained of by Adjutant-general 



404 History of the 

Schouler for assaulting Private Wilson Pinkham, an alleged 
deserter from the Ira Harris Cavalry of New York, as re- 
ported in the Herald of yesterday afternoon, came np again, 
having been continued from the forenoon. 

The Adjutant-general again explained that he had no desire 
to punish this man, as he (the defendant) believed he was 
under orders, which it was his duty to obey ; but he did wish 
to test before a civil tribunal the question whether a New 
York officer, without special authority, had a right to come 
to Massachusetts and enlist here citizens in New York regi- 
ments under false pretences. 

Mr. Brooks, counsel for the defendant, put in the follow- 
ing order, as the latter 's .justification for arresting Pinkham: 

Camp Scott, Dec. 4th, 1861. 
Sergeant F. A. Easton : You are hereby ordered to proceed 
at once and arrest Remembrance Knowlton, AVm. Farrell, 
Wm. J. Gilbert, Albert Lewis, and any other deserters you 
may find from this camp. You will report yourself with such 
men as you may find as soon as possible. 

By order of 

D. McVlCAR, 

Lieut.-col. Sixth Reg't, N. Y. S. Cavalry, Ira Harris Guards. 

After further discussion the case was again continued till 
Friday next, the defendant, at General Schouler 's request, 
being allowed to go on his personal recognizance. 

THE ENLISTMENT CASE. 

Boston, Dec. 12, 1861. 
To the Editor of the Boston Journal : 

Having read in several papers statements in regard to my 
case which are incorrect, allow me through your columns to 
rectify the mistakes by a simple statement of facts. On the 
9th of September I enlisted under Captain Freeman Orme, 
with the understanding that we were for the resailar United 



Sixth Neiu York Cavalry. 405 

States Army, and that his company was entitled to State 
aid. I left for Camp Scott, L. I., on the 12th, being the 
last man who left Boston for Captain Orme's company. I 
did not enlist IV. Pixkham or any other man, as has been 
stated. Some six weeks ago I was ordered to report as New 
York Volunteers. The men became dissatisfied and threat- 
ened to desert. Captain Orme withheld their pay, but at 
my suggestion they were paid off. 

I left camp Nov. 18 on furlough. On the 22d, at South 
Hingham, received a dispatch and orders for the arrest of 
several deserters — more particularly W. Pinkham. He was 
not at home when first I called. Next day met Second Ser- 
geant T. French, who had orders to co-operate with me. 
When on the point of arresting Pinkham, was told by his 
wife that the Adjutant-general wished to see us. We went 
immediately to the State House, where, after some conversa- 
tion, it was understood that should we arrest them, he (the 
Adjutant-general) would arrest us. We then communicated 
with Captain Orme, and received orders to await his arrival 
in the city. 

In the meanwhile we saw Pinkham and others, advised 
them to return their uniforms, as they were still liable; but 
we made no attempt to arrest them. On Sunday Captain 
Orme arrived with orders for their arrest, and having a letter 
from the Adjutant-general of New York to General Schouler 
in Boston. By appointment met at the Cummings House at 
5 o'clock Monday evening, and proceeded to Pinkham 's house 
in a hack. By orders I went into the house and arrested Pink- 
ham, and sent for Captain Orme. He came, and the prisoner 
showing resistance. Sergeant French and I were ordered to 
put him in the carriage. While on the street Pinkham at- 
tempted to run ; I ordered to him to stand or I should fire ; 
he did so. We then drove to the Providence Depot, where 
Captain Orme put handcuffs on the prisoner. 

As Pinkham was sick I interceded, and he did not go to 
New York that night, but after being confined in Roxbury 
until morning was sent on, luider charge of Sergeant French. 



406 History of the 

Captain and I went to New York that night with more pris- 
oners. On Friday, the 6th inst, I returned to Boston and 
M-as arrested, and confined in jail five days, waiting an ex- 
amination. 

That I was acting under orders, no one can deny. And 
now, sir, I leave it with a just public to determine whether 
I have deserved such treatment for simply doing my duty. 

Yours respectfully, 

Fergus Anzle Easton, 
Orderly Sergeant Co. A, 2d Eeg. H. B. 

In the spring of 1862 our men were granted State 
aid from Massaclxusetts. 

The case never came to a decision. It was carried 
to a higher court. Furlough was denied me to attend 
the trial, Colonel Devin endorsing the application as 
follows: ''This officer's duties are more valuable in 
camp than in a court room." A copy of this was for- 
warded to the Clerk of Courts, and thus ended the 
attempt of Massachusetts to establish her State 
rights. 

PRISON EXPERIENCE OF ISAAC A. COLLIER. 

I was taken prisoner near Dinwiddle C. H. on the 
31st of March, 1865, in one of the sharpest hand-to- 
hand attacks we had had for some days. The day 
before (the 30th), we made a charge (the Sixth New 
York) in the woods, after the Seventeenth Pennsylva- 
nia Cavalry had failed to break the enemy's lines; it 
was raining very hard, and we had hard work to drive 
the rebels, but we did at last, for a while only; our loss 
was heavy. At about 2 or 3 p.m. the rebels advanced 
on us the second time and they hurried us along at a 
good rate. Lieutenant Blunt 's horse was shot; in the 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 407 

fall back I was dismoimted, but soon regained my 
horse and place in line. Colonel White had cut a long 
barricade and the regiment held it until nearly dark, 
when we fell back across a small ravine to the edge of 
the hill, where we established a line of battle and lay 
there all night in our wet clothes, without fire 
or food, until the morning of the 31st, when, 
at about noon, they drove them in on our left 
and advanced in our front and made it very 
unpleasant for us. I think they would have captured 
our battery, or the one we had with us, but for Gen- 
eral Devin, with whom I had often been in hard, close 
work, but I never saw him cutting right and left and 
urging the men to stand and save their guns ; they did 
great work that day. We made a final charge and 
went through the rebels, but when we turned to go 
back to our lines, we were met by the enemy; there 
were three of us captured at that point — a lieutenant 
of the Seventeenth, a sergeant of the Tenth New York, 
and myself. The first kind remark I heard was ''Get 

from under that good hat, you Yankee ," and 

they put on my head a long, high soft hat, with about 
a thousand holes cut in — my hat was new, and I had 
nothing to say about the trade. 

The Fourth N. C. Cavalry charged us and took us 
prisoners ; they took us about a mile or two to the 
rear, when one of those brave boys who were to be 
found in the rear of both armies — they never saw a 
battle, but were ever ready to do a robbery (we were 
in charge of a sergeant and six men) — when this man 
asked if we had been searched, the Sergeant said 
" No ! " So he began by going through the Lieutenant. 
I made a strong protest to the Sergeant and told him 
no one but cowards would do that kind of work; he 



408 History of the 

took $3.10 from the Lieutenant. Next came the Ser- 
geant of the Tenth New York; he took $75 from him. 
He said it was my turn next ; I told him no, not while 
I was alive. I had not given \\\) my pistol yet— it was 
under my coat yet; but the Sergeant took it away, and 
they treated us with quite some respect while they had 
us in charge. We crossed a large stream of water 
that night and we rode on the backs of their horses. 
We got in the camp, where they left us about 2 a.m., 
when they all shook hands and bid us good-bye, and 
said that they hoped if any of us ever took any men, 
we would be as good to them as they had been to 
us. In new hands, and in charge of another sergeant, 
who had been posted that I was the only one not 
searched, the sergeant informs me that such is his 
painful duty. I said "go ahead." I had put in the 
seams of my drawers two fifty-dollar bills and one 
twenty-dollar bill ; I left in my pocket a five-dollar bill 
and a ten-cent shin plaster. He left me the ten-cent 
shin plaster and said I might as well let him have the 
five-spot, as it would be taken from me. He also gave 
me a piece of old quilt to lie on ; they put us in a cow- 
pen for the rest of the night. I found quite a number 
there in camp. An old gray-headed man asked me if 
I would like to get away that night. As I thought 
that he might be looking for a medal or was anxious 
to see a dead Yankee, I told him that I thought, 
although the prospect looked very bad for good grub, 
I would stay with them a while. The next day (April 
1st) they marched us to Petersburg and put us in an 
old tobacco warehouse with 1500 or 1800 others from 
the Fifth Corps, who were prisoners. Here they 
searched us again, and the officer who did it insulted 
when he could. When he asked who my general was, 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 409 

I told liim "Sheridan." "Oh! you are one of the 

barn burners." I said, "Yes." Then he said, 

"Where did you get that quilt?" I told him one of 
his men gave it to me last night. He said that I was 

a liar, that I had robbed some poor widow in 

the valley. I could not say too much, but I know that 
he did not like what I said. Up to this time we had 
not had even a hardtack. The whole crowd of us lay 
down on the hard floor for the night. About 3 a.m. 
General Grant began to shell out Petersburg — don't 
thijik it took very long to get down stairs, and we were 
not asked either; we fell in line and they marched us 
down to the front and along their batteries to make 
our boys believe they were moving their troops, and 
our boys put, many a shot chasing us. Some time 
about noon we got to the depot, half way to Richmond; 
here they loaded us on gravel cars and sent us to 
Richmond, where we arrived about 1 p.m. Here I got 
my first mouthful of food — a little girl was selling 
dried apple pies, and I gave her the ten-cent shin plas- 
ter for one of them; that was the first I had to eat 
since I boarded with them, and I still had my money 
with me. 

They marched us across the James River and into 
Libby Prison. The people, as we marched by, said we 
were the finest looking lot of Yankees they ever saw. 
Some that they brought over from Belle Isle, or 
rather carried over, for the poor devils were more 
dead than alive, were put on the exchange boat that 
night about five o'clock; we were sent down the river. 
I don't know where it was, but down at some point, we 
marched across the fields to our boat, which lay wait- 
ing for us; when we got aboard, our men gave us 
plenty to eat and good milk. 



I 



410 History of the 

We were glad and happy to hear the news. When 
we got up to Annapolis, as paroled prisoners, we saw 
an old gentleman standing on the dock holding up the 
paper, in large type, "Lee Surrenders." I was 
placed in a large tent with five others. Of course, 
some one of them was on hand to cool the coffee and 
take what he could get. So you see it came to a 
smart Yank to get my $120 and I brought it through 
three searches safe in camp. 

I applied for a furlough for fifteen days and got it 
and then got it extended fifteen days more ; then came 
back to Annapolis and was discharged at joarole camp, 
under G. 0. No. 77, War Department, June llth, 1865. 

PRISON EXPEEIENCE OF WM. H. BOGERT, 
COMPANY A. 

I was wounded and captured by Mosby's men Se}it. 
4th, 1864 ( Berry ville), and from then until Feb. 22d, 
1865, life was not worth living. The $64 which the 
paymaster had paid me a few days before was imme- 
diately seized; and my boots, too, would have been 
taken if I had not refused, even at the point of a pis- 
tol, to give them up. All the others were robbed of 
boots and blouses. In this way we marched the first 
day to Culpeper, the next day to Lynchburg, where we 
stayed two weeks. Here we were treated very well 
in the matter of rations. We were then sent to Rich- 
mond to Libby, and there the suffering commenced. 
The food was the worst you could imagine^ — black 
beans full of worms, and cornbread-meal ground up, 
cob and all, to make the greater bulk. Once a week 
we received a spoonful of boiled rice in the place of 
the corn-meal. There was not nmch of anything. 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 411 

Once in a while there was a treat. If the guards saw 
any one near the windows, out of pure deviltry they 
would shoot. The mechanics, who had to do duty one 
week in four, were an exception. They did not eat 
their rations, but gave their portion to any one that 
happened to be around the window that day. At 
night they would sing and call out the hour of the 
night and say, "All is well." It didn't take long for 
the meagre living to bear results. In my case, there 
was a decrease of weight from 165 to 95 pounds. 
Many were too weak to stand it. The blood became 
so thin that if one should bruise the foot on the nails 
which stood up in the floor, the flesh would rot and 
drop out. Seven or eight were carried out dead every 
da}", the same pine boxes doing duty each time. Out 
of the twenty-one of our regiment who were captured, 
I know of only five who survived. If the rebels had 
let all the boxes of food through, we should have fared 
better, but they used them for their hospitals. Bad 
food was not the onlj^ hardship. Wood given us to 
keep us from freezing was so green that it wouldn't 
burn, and if it hadn't been for the rafters, we could 
not have had even the semblance of comfort. By 
judicious feeding, one rafter would last a night. Even 
that was not enough to keep out the frost, and often in 
the dead of night we would form in three lines around 
the room, and with our hands upon the shoulders of 
the one in front, march for hours, or as long as we 
could stand it, in order to keep warm. We always 
lay si)oon-fashion, both for warmth and because, on 
the second floor where we were, there was hardly floor 
space for three thousand men. There was little to 
take up our attention — the Bible and Charles 0. Mally 
were the only books among us, and they became so 



412 History of the 

])]ack with constant handling as to be illegible. For 
one hour every day the windows were opened, and we 
spent the time killing vermin. There was little incen- 
tive to keep clean, and yet since there was plenty of 
water I always washed my one shirt in the tub, and 
because there was no other way to dry it, I put it right 
on. It is a mystery why that in itself didn't kill me, 
for it always took a whole day to dry the shirt. As it 
was, I was never sick. If I had been, it would have 
been death, the same as for others. The men were 
too weak to withstand disease and would die in two 
hours after an attack of cramps. Is it any wonder 
that men became brutes and fought for a piece of 
bread, the same as a dog! Is it any wonder that men 
longed for home and that they went crazy thinking 
about the home folks! We always knew that the end 
was near when a man would get in a corner, sing 
church tunes, and pray the same as at prayer meeting, 
or talk to those at home as though they were present, 
laughing and calling them by name. The next morn- 
ing we would be detailed to carry them out in one of 
the boxes. And so it was all winter — only the strong 
survived. 

PEISON EXPERIENCES BY MAJOR G. M. VAN 

BUREN. 

The saddest experience of the whole war was the 
life led by the prisoners in the South — a life which the 
best men of that section do not seek to excuse. It 
was a boast of Southern officials that they received 
hardy, well men in exchange for skeletons. The suf- 
fering of our men as prisoners began immediately 
after their capture. The first meal I received at Libby 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 413 

consisted of soup made from rancid bacon and wormy 
beans, and had to be eaten after skinmiing the mag- 
gots off its surface. I say had to be eaten, because to 
refuse meant starvation. This was a fair sample of 
our food for days. The nights were periods of unrest. 
We were compelled to turn our clothing inside out to 
the last garment to hunt body lice, which infested 
every person who lay on the vermin-laden floor of 
Libby, even to Gen. Neal Dow, who, while sitting 
naked, with spectacles on, going over each seam of his 
shirt, was told that the commandant of the prison, 
Major Turner, was showing some ladies through the 
place. The General said, ''Let them come; I have 
something to show them," 

Libby, however, was the best prison of the South, 
for it provided shelter. Prisoners at Belle Isle and 
Salisbury froze to death in the winter of 1863-64, 
when the thermometer showed a temperature below 
zero. Prisoners from Belle Isle would go past Libby 
for exchange so disabled that they pulled themselves 
along on their hands and haunches like children, and 
their frozen limbs would crack so that a finger could 
be laid in the cracks in their legs— their feet were 
helpless. There were other prisoners in Georgia 
where the inmates suffered intensely from heat. I 
was one day at Andersonville, but was not allowed 
inside, as no officers were there. I had escaped and 
had been recaptured. When we got to Andersonville, 
we were unloaded from cattle-cars, the enlisted men 
were searched, and everything of value confiscated, 
including money and good clothes; only old worn-out 
clothing was returned. I shall remember to my dying 
day a young man who was being stripped and 
searched. He had a handsome ring which the rebel 



414 History of the 

sergeant wanted and was trying to pull from his 
finger. He resisted, saying that his mother had given 
it to him. The noise brought Wirz to the spot in a 
frenzy. He shrieked, "What ze hell zat row!" The 
Sergeant told him that the boy would not give up his 
ring. ' ' Knock his damned head in, ' ' yelled Wirz, and 
the Sergeant raised his musket. The young man 
thew up his arm and the musket came down on it, 
breaking it so badly that it flew over the musket and, 
with a fearful gash in his head, he fell like a log, after 
which the Sergeant pulled off his ring; then the boy 
was taken into the prison to sure death, as he would 
receive no medical care. 

I remained one day in Andersonville under guard. 
I went on the south side of the camp, where the can- 
non were placed commanding the inclosure, fifty or 
sixty yards from the stockade, and at that distance the 
stench was almost unbearable. The prison was one 
mass of reeking corruption. The men were univer- 
sally afflicted with diarrhoea and scurvy, and many of 
them were too weak to go to the sinks ; it was, there- 
fore, impossible to keep clean, and dementia and 
death resulted. Here, among such surroundings. Ser- 
geant Atwell of my company gave up his life with 
thousands of others, amid unspeakable filth and mis- 
ery. This was the worst prison in the South because 
of the vast number confined. There were at times 
30,000, and they died at the rate of 100 a day. Viewed 
from another standpoint, it was not the worst, for 
Belle Isle had more suffering in proportion to its size, 
as did also Salisbury, N. C. Men lay one upon 
another because of the cold, the one underneath being 
frequently smothered to death. These men in their 
misery forgot that they were human, and while lying 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 415 

on the ground refused to get a dying comrade a drink 
of water, knowing that unconsciousness and death 
would soon come. 

The men had no tents and no covering, and dug 
holes two feet wide and three feet deey). 

The officers spent the winter of 18(34-65 in Camp 
Sorghum, three miles west of Colmnbia, S. C. There 
were two thousand of us dumped down on a piece of 
ground where the trees had been cut off and not a par- 
ticle of wood left. We spent the winter with no shel- 
ter during the frequent snows, burrowing under 
stumps to sleep. Our rations consisted of five quarts 
of corn-meal, five spoonfuls of sorghum, and a spoon- 
ful of salt for five days. This would go further if 
made into mush. "We made a small cup full twice a day 
for three months. It passed through the body almost 
as soon as eaten. I do not know of a single one who 
passed through the experience who is not a victim of 
dyspepsia or other stomach disorders. 

These are a few facts about prison life in the South 
upon which I could enlarge indefinitely, but which 
would not be apropos to this history. 



Our Leaders 

BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS C. DEVIN. 

Thomas C. Devin was born in the city of New York 
Dec. 10th, 1822. 

At the breaking out of the Rebellion he held the 
commission of Lieutenant-colonel in the First Regi- 
ment, N. Y. S. M. 

A requisition having been made upon Governor 
Morgan for one hundred mounted men with their own 
horses and equipments. Colonel Devin organized that 
number from his regiment, and proceeding to Wash- 
ington was mustered into the service of the United 
States as Captain July 19tli, 1861, 

After a short time spent in drilling his command, he 
was ordered to report to Gen. Wm. F. Smith for scout- 
ing duty in Loudoun County, Va., and on the appoint- 
ment of Isaac I. Stevens as Brigadier-general, Cap- 
tain Devin was assigned to duty on his staff as bri- 
gade inspector. He remained in that capacity until 
the muster-out of his command at the expiration of 
their three months' service. 

November 18tli, 1861, on the earnest recommenda- 
tion of General Stevens and Senator Harris, he was 
commissioned by Governor Morgan as Colonel of the 
Sixth New York (Ira Harris) Cavalry; a fine regi- 
ment, one thousand strong. In December his regiment 
was ordered to York, Pa., at which place he con- 
structed barracks and stables for his command. 

Early in March, 1862, he was ordered to Perryville, 

27 



418 History of the 

Md., to guard tlie depot at that place, and in May fol- 
lowing, to Washington, where the regiment encamped 
at the East Capitol until July, not yet being fully 
mounted. 

On the initiation of Greneral Pope's campaign in 
Virginia, Colonel Devin was ordered to report with 
his command to General McDowell at Warrenton, and 
was charged with the duty of observing the move- 
ments of the enem}^ south of the Eapidan in the direc- 
tion of Orange C. H., holding and guarding the fords 
of the Eappahannock from the crossing of the Orange 
& Alexander Eaihjoad to Fredericksburg, and keeping 
open the communication between the troops of Gen- 
eral Pope and those of Burnside, then landing at 
Aquia Creek. 

After the withdrawal of General Pope to Centre- 
ville, Colonel Devin was ordered to retain his positions 
on the Rappahannock for the purpose of covering the 
depot at Aquia Creek. When the latter post was 
abandoned, the regiment, being isolated, was ordered 
to fall back to Aquia Creek, and then embarked for 
Washington; and the following day was ordered to 
move in advance of the Ninth Army Corps on Freder- 
ick, Md., which town Devin entered on the left, while 
the Ninth Corps was fighting in front. 

Colonel Devin participated with his command in the 
Battle of South Mountain, and again assuming the 
advance, on the morning of Sept. 16th crossed the 
Antietam Creek and advanced on Sharpsburg, with 
orders to develop the enemy's position. The recon- 
noissance was successful in unmasking the enemy's 
batteries, and the command was withdrawn with 
slight loss. During the great battle of the 17tli his 
position was on the extreme left, holding the lower 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 419 

bridge across Antietam Creek, and checking the 
enemy's cavalry in their attempt to cross. 

During the fall of this year, his command was 
attached to the Ninth Army Corps and engaged in 
observing and skirmishing with the enemy's cavalry 
in Loudoun and Shenandoah Valleys. During the 
movement on Fredericksburg he was ordered to the 
left to cover the march of Sickles' division, and after 
the battle he was assigned to the command of the 
Second Brigade of Pleasanton's cavalry division. 
His brigade consisted of the Sixth New York and 
Eighth and Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry Eegi- 
ments. 

With this command. Colonel Devin led the columns 
of the Army of the Potomac on Hooker 's brilliant and 
successful advance upon Chancellorsville with the 
Eighth Pennsylvania, driving out the enemy and 
occupying that place after a sharp skirmish. As his 
was the only cavalry brigade present with the army, it 
suffered severely (particularly the Sixth New York 
and Eighth Pennsylvania) during the subsequent 
engagements on that disastrous field, losing one-third 
of its officers and men. 

At the Battle of Beverly Ford, when the Cavalry 
Corps of the Army of the Potomac was for the first 
time fairly pitted against that of the enemy under 
Stuart, Colonel Devin commanded the First Division 
of the right wing under the gallant Buford. Imme- 
diately after the engagement he was recommended by 
General Buford for i)romotion to the rank of Briga- 
dier-general. He was not promoted. 

General Buford was assigned to the command of the 
First Division, and Devin returned to the Second Bri- 
gade, now increased to four regiments. 



420 History of the 

With liis command lie participated in all the cavalry 
engagements of his division preceding the Battle of 
Gettysburg; and at that battle his was one of the two 
brigades with which Buford held Hill and Ewell in 
check until the arrival of Reynolds and Howard's 
Corps. After the battle he was again recommended 
for promotion. He was not promoted. 

In the cavalry engagements of Williamsport, 
Boonsboro, Beaver Creek, Funkstown and Falling 
Waters, which closed the Gettysburg campaign, Colo- 
nel Devin, with his command, bore a prominent part. 
He was then ordered to the line of the Rappahannock, 
where he was hotly engaged at Bealeton, Rappahan- 
nock and Brandy Stations, Culpeper and Madison 
.C. H., Barnett's, Raccoon and Morton's Fords and 
Stevensburg, much of the ground being fought over 
on three or four occasions. The desperate fighting of 
his brigade at Morton's Ford, Stevensburg and 
Brandy Station, on the 11th of October, while cover- 
ing the right flank of the army, elicited the high com- 
mendation of General Buford. 

When the trains of the Army of the Potomac were 
sent to the rear in charge of Buford, during General 
Meade's movement on Centreville in October, 1863, 
Colonel Devin covered the movement with his bri- 
gade; and at Oak Hill, near Manassas, for four hours 
repulsed the persistent attacks of Stuart with Hamp- 
ton's division. This was on the day subsequent to 
Ewell's repulse by Warren. The command again 
advanced and crossed the Rapidan for the campaign 
of Mine Run, but was not actively engaged, except in 
covering the retirement of our troops across the river. 
This duty, in fact, appeared to fall to the lot of the 
Second Brigade oftener than to that of most others. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 421 

After the close of the campaign Colonel Devin 
reenlisted his old regiment as veterans to the nnmber 
of 424, all but eleven that were left alive or unhurt. 

With the commencement of the year 1864 Sheridan 
was assigned to the command of the Cavalr}^ Corps, 
and Devin, still in command of the Second Brigade, 
crossed the Kapidan and participated in the cavalry 
engagements around Todd's Tavern and Spottsylva- 
nia C. H, Sheridan moved on his first raid and 
engaged Stuart at Yellow Tavern, near Richmond. 
During the battle Colonel Devin, who was in advance, 
seized the road forks six miles from Richmond after 
a short but terribly sharp struggle, in which Col. 
Henry Clay Pate (of Kansas fame) of Fitz Lee's 
division, was killed, and his regiment nearly annihi- 
lated by the Ninth New York of Devin 's brigade. At 
this time the enemy had succeeded in cutting him off 
from Sheridan, and seeing his danger, the gallant 
Williston volunteered to attempt to reach him with a 
section of his battery, which he succeeded in doing, 
and the enemy, fighting Custer in front, was aston- 
ished and demoralized to find himself attacked in flank 
from the direction of Richmond. Devin was then 
ordered to make a reconnoissance toward Richmond. 
Charging down the Brook turnpike with the Sixth 
New York, he drove the enemy from the outer works 
and thence nearly into Richmond and in sight of the 
inner works. 

He was then ordered to hold his position and make 
a reconnoissance to the Meadow Bridge, which was 
successful in developing the fact that the road was yet 
open; and the same night the entire corps moved 
around Richmond within easy range of the works, and 
on the next morning crossed the Chickahominy at 



422 History of the 

Meadow Bridge after a hard figiit, during which the 
cavalry had not only to rebuild the bridge, but to fight 
both in front and rear. During the reconnoissance to 
the Meadow Bridge on the previous night, two 
couriers had been captured who were conveying a 
message from Bragg to Stuart, with the intelligence 
that the "proper dispositions would be made at day- 
light;" and, as a consequence, Fitz Lee was found 
entrenched and prepared to dispute Sheridan's pas- 
sage of the bridges, while the troops in Richmond 
attacked him from the rear. 

The enemy thought they had caught Sheridan in a 
trap from which he could not extricate himself, and as 
an amusing instance of their confidence, a Richmond 
paper of that morning, after commenting on the battle 
of the day previous, finished by stating that "by the 
time this edition shall have reached our readers, Sher- 
idan's cavalry, as an organized body, will have ceased 
to exist." The event showed that they did not yet 
know the man to whose leadership that invincible old 
corps had been entrusted. As soon as the bridges 
were repaired, Sheridan, without a moment's hesita- 
tion, hurled Devin and Custer (dismounted) on Fitz 
Lee, and Gibbs at the same time attacking in flank, the 
trenches were carried on the run, the road opened, and 
the enemy scattered in less time than it takes to record 
the fact. 

Some slight skirmishing followed, after which the 
corps marched unmolested to the James River, return- 
ing thence to the Army of the Potomac, then on its 
flanking march from the Wilderness. 

A day was spent in refitting, and again to the front, 
fighting their way across the Pamunky at Hanover- 
town, Custer leading, Devin following, and bearing off 



I 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 423 

to the right, advanced on Hanover C. H. Some sharp 
fighting occurred in the vicinity, in which he main- 
tained the advantage, until relieved by the Sixth 
Corps ; he moved to the left and participated in the 
hard-fought combats of Mattadequin Run and Cold 
Harbor. The raid on the Virginia Central Railroad 
followed with the two days ' desperate fighting at Tre- 
vilians Station, in which his command suffered 
severely. On the return march, Devin's brigade was 
twice severely engaged, viz., at St. Peter's Church, 
with Fitz Lee's division, and near Jones Bridge, with 
Chandliss' brigade. 

In July Sheridan was ordered to the Shenandoah 
Valley, and the First and Third Divisions accompa- 
nied him. Devin's brigade was the first to open the 
ball at the toll-gate on the Front Royal pike, where 
the Newtown road crosses. The object was Early's 
left flank, but he succeeded in getting to Fisher's Hill 
before our force could come up in sufficient force and 
intercept him. 

The Second Brigade was now thrown out on the left 
flank to watch the crossing of the Shenandoah at 
Front Royal, as it was known a strong force of the 
enemy was at that place. 

About 2 p.m. of the following day Wickham's (for- 
merly Fitz Lee's) brigade of cavalry crossed the 
river and was at once attacked by the Second Brigade 
and repulsed. At this juncture, Kershaw's division 
of infantry waded the river below and attacked the 
brigade on its left, Wickham again returning to the 
charge in front. Gen. Wesley Merritt, who had just 
arrived with Custer 's brigade, at once ordered it up in 
support of Devin, and the two brigades inflicted a 
sound thrashing upon the enemy, capturing over three 



424 History of the 

hundred prisoners, the Second Brigade capturing 
three stands of colors. 

Colonel Devin, who was wounded in this engage- 
ment, was immediately brevetted Brigadier-general, 
to date Aug. 16th, 1864. 

Returning to the field, he led his brigade into action 
at the Battle of Winchester (or the Opequon) Sept. 
19th, and at 2 i).m. was ordered to cross the Opequon, 
on the enemy's immediate left, and attack his cavalry 
covering that flank. Quickly driving the cavalry from 
his front, he was ordered by Greneral Merritt to charge 
the left of Early's infantry line, which he utterly 
routed in two successive charges, capturing over five 
hundred prisoners and five regimental colors, besides 
sabering large numbers of the enemy. 

Early fell back to Fisher's Hill, the rest of the cav- 
alry were sent to Luray Valley to find the enemy's 
rear, and Devin 's brigade went into camp five miles in 
rear of our infantry. When the enemy was flanked 
out of Fisher's Plill, the brigade was ordered to the 
front and pursued him to Mount Jackson, where he 
apparently determined to make a stand. When, how- 
ever, Sheridan, with the Sixth Corps, appeared at the 
crossing of the Shenandoah, and Devin crossed the 
river and made a dash at his right flank, he did not 
wait to have the story of Winchester repeated, but 
commenced falling back, with a strong rear guard. So 
rapidly did he move and so well was his rear guard 
handled that the small force of cavalry (two regi- 
ments having been temporarily detached from the 
brigade) was unable to make any impression on its 
determined front, or hold it long enough for our infan- 
try to get up, though repeated onsets were made for 
that purpose (see Sheridan's report). During this 



Sixth New York Cava hi/. 425 

night Early continued liis retreat by Harrisonburg 
and the Bhie Ridge, and Devin, who was ordered to 
follow him closely and watch his movements, over- 
hauled his cavalry at Port Eepublic, drove it 
across the South Shenandoah, and pushed on so rap- 
idly in that wooded country that in reaching Brown's 
Gap, in the Blue Ridge, he suddenly found himself 
completely enveloped by the enemy's infantry in 
force. He extricated his command with slight loss, 
however, and covered by Taylor's battery of his 
brigade on the opposite bank did not even recross the 
river. 

The following day the command was ordered back 
to Cross Keys, and Sheridan having failed to draw 
"Early from his covert, fell back toward Winchester, 
destroying en route all supplies in the valley. On 
reaching Toms Run it was found that Rosser was fol- 
lowing Sheridan, and the latter insisting in his usual 
mild phraseology that nobody should "follow" him, 
ordered Torbert to face about and clean him out, 
which was done so quickly that by 2 p.m. Devin 's bri- 
gade in advance had chased the enemy through Wood- 
stock, Edinburg and Hawkinsville, across the Shenan- 
doah at Mount Jackson, nearly twenty miles from the 
battle-field. 

The brigade fell back with the division to refit. 
Started again on a raid to Charlottesville, but turned 
back with the corps after reaching Front Royal, and 
encamped in rear of the army's left on Cedar Creek. 

When Early's attack was developed on the morning 
of the memorable 19th of October, the brigade was 
thrown out on the left to hold the turnpike, on which 
our army trains were endeavoring to escape. The 
division quickly followed in support, and during the 



426 History of the 

whole day never lost a foot of ground, nor did the 
enemy succeed, at any time, in getting one hundred 
yards beyond Middletown. 

Devin's position was on the right of the cavalry and 
next to Gretty's division of the Sixth Corps, and when 
the enemy broke, he charged the bridge across Cedar 
Creek and, following closely on his heels until mid- 
night, captured twenty-two pieces of artillery with an 
immense number of wagons, ambulances and prison- 
ers. The following day the division continued the 
pursuit to Edinburg, but Earl}^ did not stop until he 
reached Newmarket, and the command returned with 
the army to Winchester, where Devin was commis- 
sioned as Brigadier-general of Volunteers, to date 
from Oct. 19th, 1864, for his services at the Battle of 
Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. 

During the month of November he moved with the 
division into Loudoun Valley and destroyed all sup- 
plies that could be of use to the enemy. 

In December he commanded the division on Tor- 
bert's raid to Gordonsville, where, in the engagement 
of Dec. 22d, at Liberty Mills on the Kapidan, he cap- 
tured two guns from the enemy and drove him into 
Grordonsville. 

The cooperative movement up the valley having 
failed, the command returned to Winchester, whence 
Devin was ordered to Loudoun Valley to watch the 
enemy on that flank. 

In February he was ordered to return to Winches- 
ter, and was assigned to the command of the First 
Division (General Merritt now commanding all the 
cavalry of the Shenandoah). On Feb. 28th, 1865, 
started with the corps on its raid to James River, his 
division destroying en route all bridges and mills on 



07 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 427 

the Rivanna River, proceeded to Scottsville on the 
James, and thence destroyed the line of the James 
River and Nanawha Canal from Dugnidsville, near 
Lynchburg, to Goochland, near Richmond, a distance 
of over one hundred miles, together with all mills, 
repair shops, canal boats, and an immense amount of 
supplies belonging to the Confederacy. As Custer was 
at the same time, with the Third Division, hard at 
work destroying the immense bridges on the Virginia 
Central Railroad, some idea may be formed of the 
damage to the enemy's communications by this most 
terrible of Sheridan's raids. 

After operating a week on the canal, the division 
proceeded to that section of the railroad between 
Richmond and Gordonsville, where General Devin 
was detached with orders to destroy the five bridges 
over the North and South Anna and Little Rivers. 
The bridges across the South Aima were defended by 
rifle-pits and four two-pounder Parrott guns. The 
defences were carried with a rush, the guns burned on 
the defenders, and the bridges completely destroyed. 

The command now proceeded to the White House, 
and thence, after refitting, to Deep Bottom on the 
James, where it was crossed to take part in the clos- 
ing campaign. 

Sheridan marched from in front of Petersburg on 
the morning of March 29th, reaching Dinwiddle C. H. 
with his advance on the same night. In the morning 
Devin was ordered to advance and occupy the vicinity 
of Boisseaux House, connect with our infantry under 
Warresi, and with a small force reconnoitre the Five 
Forks. The orders were executed, and the enemy 
found in considerable force at the Forks. In attempt- 
ing to press them, the Sixth Reg-ular Cavalry in 



428 History of the 

advance was surrounded and roughly handled. The 
Second Brigade was ordered up and the enemy driven 
back. The division encamped near Boisseaux. 

On the morning of the 31st the First and Second 
Brigades were again pushed forward, the regular bri- 
gade remaining in reserve at Boisseaux. The enemy 
was driven across Chamberlin's Swamp toward the 
Forks, and an irregular semi-circular line formed, 
extending to the right and rear in the direction of the 
plank road, and connecting with Davies' brigade of 
Crook's division on the left and rear; this line was 
rendered necessary by the conformation of the 
ground. About 2 p.m. the enemy's infantry, in heavy 
force, attacked Davies' brigade, which had been dis- 
mounted, and marched by the left to take up Davies' 
position. 

Devin fought desperately to hold his line, but the 
enemy now advanced in force on the direct road from 
the Forks, and taking advantage of his weakened cen- 
tre, caused by the movement of the Second Brigade, 
necessitated the withdrawal of the latter when nearly 
surrounded. 

The First and Second Brigades were now again 
connected, though completely cut off by the enemy's 
success on the left, and repulsing all attempts to 
crowd them, regained their horses and, moving by the 
left and rear, regained Sheridan by the plank road, 
having lost scarce a man taken prisoner, though fight- 
ing on all sides. 

On the morning of April 1st, Devin for the third 
time advanced to the attack over the .same ground, 
with orders to press the enemy back to his works. On 
reaching Chamberlin's Swamp, it was evident the 
enemy was again in force, but the Second Brigade by 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 429 

a gallant charge crossed the swamp under the 
enemy's fire, and secured a ])osition on the firm 
gromid beyond, the enemy holding the wood in front 
of the Five Forks. The first and regular brigades 
were quickly crossed, the whole division (except the 
First Cavalry) dismounted, and by a rapid and deter- 
mined advance, the enemy were driven completely 
inside the strong works, from which they were not 
again to emerge except as prisoners and fugitives. 

Sheridan now ordered the attack to cease until the 
Fifth Corps could be placed in position to take the 
works in flank. About 5 p.m. the infantry fire was 
heard on the right; Devin sounded the advance, and 
the first division dashed at the works, and after half 
an hour's desperate fighting, carried the battery and 
works in front, just as the infantry swarmed over 
them in flank, the First Cavalry, which had been kept 
mounted, clearing the works at a bound. The division 
captured over one thousand prisoners. 

From this time until the surrender General Devin 
was actively employed in operations against the flank 
of the retreating enemy, destroying his trains, etc. 
He was hotly engaged at Scott's Crossroads, Drum- 
mond's Mill and Sailor's Creek. 

On the morning of the surrender at Appomattox 
C. H., he was heavily engaged until relieved by the 
Fifth Corps, just as Lee's army was making its last 
charge. 

After the surrender he marched with his division 
to Petersburg, and thence with Sheridan on his march 
to co-operate with Sherman in North Carolina. On 
arriving at the North Carolina line, it was found that 
Johnston had already surrendered, and the troops 
returned to Petersburg, thence to Washington, where 



430 History of the 

Devin was commissioned as Brevet Major-general 
volunteers. 

After the departure of General Merritt for Texas, 
General Devin was ordered to reorganize the regi- 
ments of the Cavalry Corps for service on the plains, 
and to proceed in command of them. It became so 
evident, however, that the men desired to return to their 
homes, now that the war was in effect ended, it 
was decided to muster out the regiments, and he was 
ordered home to await orders. On Jan. 15th, 1866, he 
was mustered out of the service of the United States. 
Early in August he was, on the recommendation of 
Generals Grant and Sheridan, appointed to the lieu- 
tenant-colonelcy of the Eighth U. S. Cavalry, and on 
his acceptance was ordered to join his regiment on the 
Pacific coast. 

In March, 1867, he was breveted Colonel and Brig- 
adier-general in the regular army, and assigned to the 
command of the District of Nevada, and afterward to 
the Military District of Prescott, Arizona. 

Commissioned Colonel Third U. S. Cavalry June 
25th, 1877; died April 4th, 1878. 



GENERAL CHARLES LANE FITZHUGH. 

Charles Lane Fitzhugh was born in Oswego, N. Y., 
Aug. 22, 1838. In June, 1859, he entered the U. S. 
Military Academy at West Point. On Oct. 24th, 1861, 
he was commissioned as First Lieutenant Fourth U. S. 
Artillery. In November, 1861, he was attached to the 
statf of Major-general Buell, then about to assume 
command of the Army of the Cumberland, and served 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 431 

thereon as First Lieutenant and A, D. C. through the 
organization of that army and its campaigns of Shi- 
loh, Corinth and Perryville, until, in July, 1863, he 
was ordered to the command of Batteries G and E, 
Fourth U. S. Artillery, then with the artillery reserve 
of the Army of the Potomac. In October, 1863, his 
battery was assigned to the Sixth Corps. 

The efficiency of Batteries C and E soon led to their 
selection for service with the horse artillery, which 
comprised only picked batteries from the artillery of 
the army, and early in 1864 Lieutenant Fitzhugh 
reported with his battery for service in the Cavalry 
Corx)s, under General Sheridan, In the famous career 
of the Cavalry Corps, Batteries C and E bore a distin- 
guished part, and upon the recommendation of Gen- 
erals Sheridan and Merritt in October, 1864, Govern- 
or Seymour of New York appointed Lieutenant Fitz- 
hugh to the colonelcy of the Sixth New York Cavalry, 
just then made vacant by the promotion of Col. 
Thomas C. Devin to be brigadier-general. 

Colonel Fitzhugh assumed command of the Sixth 
New York Cavalry in October, 1864, and was soon 
after assigned to the command of the Second Brigade, 
First Division, Cavalry Corps, then comprising the 
Sixth New York Cavalry, the Seventeenth Pennsylva- 
nia, Ninth New York, and the Twentieth Pennsylva- 
nia. From that period until the close of the active 
operations of the Army of the Potomac, his record is 
identified with that of the Sixth New York Cavalry 
and of the Second Brigade, as narrated in this vol- 
ume. 

He was honorably mustered out of the volunteer 
service Aug. 9, 1865, but, in his regular rank, served 
on the staff of General Sheridan in Texas and Louisi- 



432 History of the 

ana until May 21, 1868, when lie resigned liis commis- 
sion. 

Among the engagements and campaigns at which 
General Fitzhugh was present were Shiloli, Corinth, 
Perryville, Mine Run, White Oak Swamp, the Wil- 
derness, Spottsylvania Court-house, Sheridan's Raid, 
Meadow Bridge, Smithfield, the Wilson Raid, Roa- 
noke Station, Stony Creek, Ream's Station, Winches- 
ter to the James River in March, '65, Dinwiddie 
Court-house, Five Forks, Scott's Crossroads, Sailor's 
Creek, Appomattox. He received the following brev- 
ets: Captain, April 7, 1862, "for gallant and merito- 
rious service at the Battle of Shiloh, Tenn. ;" Major, 
Aug. 28, 186-4, "for gallant and meritorious service at 
the Battle of Smithfield, Va.;" Lieutenant-colonel, 
April 1, 1865, "for gallant and meritorious service at 
the Battle of Five Forks, Va.;" Colonel and Briga- 
dier-general, U. S. A., April, 1865, "for gallant and 
meritorious service during the war;" and Brevet 
Brigadier-general, U. S. Vols., 1865, "for gallantry, 
energy and ability." 

From his resignation, May 21, 1868, to 1896, Gen- 
eral Fitzhugh was a member of the firm of Shoenber- 
ger & Company, Pittsburg, Pa. ; and from 1896 to 1899 
was President of the Shoenberger Steel Company. In 
1899 he retired from business, his present address 
being Washington, D. C. 

Genei-al Fitzhugh was married Sept. 12, 1865, to 
Emma Shoenberger, daughter of George K. Shoenber- 
ger, of Cincinnati, of which marriage the children now 
living are Henry Fitzhugh, born in 1867, and Carroll 
Hamilton Fitzhugh, born in 1873. George Shoenber- 
ger Fitzhugh, born in 1869, died in 1873. 





Maj. William Beardslev. 



Lieut. -COL. Geo. M. Van Buren. 



1^1^^ 





Ma.i. ,1. Hajiilto.n' Bell. 



MA.1..T. \V. Bunt. 



I 





Capt. D. p. Richardson. 



('apt. W. L. Heermance. 



Miscellany 

MEDALS OF HONOR AWARDED. 

Captain Wm. L. Heermance, Company C, for action 
April 30tli, 1863— Cliancellorsville. 

Thomas Kelly, private, Company A, Front Royal, 
Aug. 16th, 1861— "capture of a flag." 

Patrick H. McEnroe, sergeant. Company D, Win- 
chester, Sept. 19th, 1864 — "capture of colors of 
Thirty-sixth Virginia Infantry." 

George E. Meach, farrier, Company I, Winchester, 
Sept. 19th, 1864— "capture of a flag." 

Thomas M. Wells, chief bugler. Cedar Creek, Oct. 
19th, 1864— "capture colors Forty-fourth Ga. Inf." 

Captain John W. Blunt, for exceptional gallantry 
in action at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19th, 1864. 

There were a number of occasions where flags were 
captured, but of which no official mention has been 
made. It is a well-known fact that in the charge at 
Front Royal (Cedarville) in August, 1864, Sergt. 
John Muldoon of Troop I, though most desperately 
wounded through the hip, continued on in the charge, 
captured a flag and two Confederates, and brought 
them off the field. Let that fact go on record now. 

The same is true also of George Funk of Troop K, 
who captured a flag at the second battle of Malvern 
Hill; and again at Fisher's Hill in October, 1864, 
where he captured Early's headquarters ambulance, 
containing, among other things, one or more flags." 

Among many acts of heroism that of Ike Collier 

28 



434 History or the 

deserves notable mention. Eead Tommy Kiernan's 
account. There were many such noble acts. 
Extract report Brig. -gen. Averill Aug. 8th, 1864: 
"Major Conger and Lieutenant Clark, Third West 
Virginia Cavalry, were killed while leading a charge." 
Boys, let us bow our heads to the memory of our old 
comrade. Major Conger, a soldier who, no matter how 
heated the action, never hesitated to stop and help a 
comrade in a tight place. 

COLONEL DEVIN'S LETTER TO MRS. DUNCAN 
McVICAR. 

Camp of Second Brigade, Pleasanton's Cavalry Division. 

May 9, 1863. 
My dear Madam : 

It has become my grievous duty to inform you, by letter, 
of the sad and painful bereavement yourself and family have 
sustained in the loss of a husband and father. The news must 
have already reached you through the columns of the press, 
and I am spared the painful task of breaking it to you for 
the first time. He was endeared to us all by his many virtues, 
by the earnest simplicity of his character, by his honesty of 
purpose, and by his soldierly contempt of danger, which, alas, 
in the end hurried him to a soldier's grave. 

He fell as he would have chosen, gloriously fighting at the 
head of his noble regiment — fighting to maintain the institu- 
tions of his adopted country, and setting an illustrious 
example that many of her degenerate sons would do well to 
follow. His brave antagonist, General Fitzhugh Lee, showed 
every respect to his remains, sending his own chaplain to 
perform the funeral rites. He is buried near the spot where 
he fell, on the farm of Mr. Alsop, in Spottsylvania County, 
Virginia. 

As soon as possible and military necessities admit, Ave shall 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 435 

recover all that remains of our lamented brother officer, in 
order that he may at least sleep in the land he loved best, 
"our own free North." 

Allow me. on the part of myself and brother officers, to 
tender our sincere and heartfelt condolence in your affliction, 
and I fervently trust the nation for whom your husband so 
bravely fought and nobly fell, although it cannot restore him 
to those who mourn his loss, will at least hold in grateful 
remembrance the services he has rendered, the great sacrifice 
he made, and the helpless ones he has left to that nation's 
care. 

Believe me, my dear madam, with the sincerest sympathy, 

Yours ver>' respectfully, 

Thomas C. Devin, 
Col. 6th N. Y. V. Cavalry, 2d Brigade. 



RESPONSE OF COL. THOS. C. DEVIN ON PRES- 
ENTATION OF HORSE AND EQUIPMENTS 
TO HIM BY OFFICERS OF SECOND BRI- 
GADE, FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION 
—CAMP NEAR CITY POINT, 
VA., JULY 21sT, 1864. 

My friends and officers of the Second Brigade, I scarce 
know how to express my feelings at receiving this valuable 
and appropriate testimonial of your esteem and friendship. 
Words alone are not sufficient, and I can but trust that in 
the future as in the past, I may continue to deserve the con- 
fidence and esteem of my fellow soldiers. 

"When, nearly tAVO years ago, I w^as assigned to the com- 
mand of this brigade, it consisted of the Sixth Regulars, the 
Eighth Pennsylvania, and my own regiment, the Sixth New 
York Cavalry. Since that time the Sixth Regulars and the 
Eighth Pennsylvania have been transferred to other com- 



436 History of the 

mands, aud successively the Seventeenth Pennsylvania and 
Ninth and Fourth New York and Heaton's Battery have 
been added to it. But through all these changes the bri- 
gade has remained, in spirit and action, the same, prompt to 
the call of duty, and with its fair escutcheon untarnished by 
a single act unworthy of the proud old division, of which it 
has always been a component part. Should not I, that have 
always commanded it, be proud of its reputation? 

As to you, my officers, we have known each other long 
and intimately. At Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Wil- 
liamsport, at Beverly Ford, Upperville and Brandy Station, 
and in a score of the hard-fought cavalry fights, we have 
stood together in the front of battle, when our best and 
bravest were falling fast around. Together we have lain 
in our silent bivouac when nearly surrounded, and all 
escape seemed hopeless; and together we have traveled 
thousands of weary miles, but at all times and under all 
circumstances I have ever found my command true to me, 
as I have endeavored to be with it. Whether in the head- 
long charges, or in the desperate stand against a pursuing 
and exultant foe, in the crash of battle, where m.y voice 
was heard, it was always heeded, and my gallant brigade, 
firm as a rock, hurled back the pursuing wave that threat- 
ened to sweep all before it. Should I not be proud of hav- 
ing inspired such confidence ? Should I not be proud of my 
command ? 

And so may it ever be. We OAve it to ourselves — we owe 
it to our country — and last, but not least, we owe it to our 
brave comrades who have already fallen that their sacrifice 
shall not have been in vain, and that our brigade shall sus- 
tain, in the future, the reputation it has won in the past. 

]\Iy friends, again I thank you, and trust that I may be 
spared to back this gallant steed, and to greet you, my 
brave comrades, in the plenitude of health and strength, 
long after this unhappy contest shall have ceased, and peace 
once more visits our disturbed land. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 437 

OEATION OF CAPT. W. L. HEERMANCE, AT 

DEDICATION OF MONUMENT SIXTH 

NEW YORK CAVALRY, GETTYSBURG, 

PA., JULY 11th, 1889. 

History fails to mention the nation or people who are 
without remembrance of those whose heroic deeds saved 
them in the hour of peril ; to whom, while living, they gave 
all honor, and after they were gone, ever remembered them 
in the traditions of the country — and our country is not an 
exception. To-day we, the survivors of those gallant men, 
who rode with the Sixth New York Cavalry in more than 
sixty engagements with the enemy, between 1861 and 1865, 
meet here on the very ground where, twenty-six years ago, 
we checked the advance of the enemy, as has been tersely 
expressed, "holding on like the devil;" we meet to dedi- 
cate this monument which, in its inception, sprang from 
that action that prompted so many of the loyal states to 
have erected here a tribute to those gallant soldiers who, at 
a loss of 20,000 men in killed and wounded, turned back 
the invading hosts, and the result of which battle settled 
for all time the doctrine of secession, so that to-day, and for 
all future years, the soldier from the North and the soldier 
from the South will join hands with the soldier from the 
East and the soldier from the West, and as they stand under 
the flag of their common country will answer to the roll- 
call of each state "here," ready to do or die in the defense 
of the Union. And these monuments are erected not only 
to record the valor of those who fought here, but to com- 
memorate the noble living and noble dying of those who 
fought on other battle-fields, but of whom we can say 

That well we know 

When they heard the rallying cry. 
Were among the very first to go 

And among the many to die. 
But wherever they lie, it is sweet to feel 

Ihat their honor is without a stain. 



438 History of the 

That they only fought for their country's weal, 
And not for glory or gain. 

I know of no regiment more worthy of these honors than 
ours who, enlisting earlj^ in 1861, and after serving a term 
of hard service reenlisted as veterans at Culpeper Court- 
house, Va., Dec. 16th, 1863, and were mustered out of the 
service in June, 1865, could have inscribed on their banner 
what you see on yonder tablet, which is but a part of the 
battles they were in. Should not we who meet here to-da5^ 
recall with pride the services rendered by us and cherish its 
good name and achievements ? 

It needs not this work of stone and bronze to keep fresh 
in the memory of those of us who survive the gallant deeds 
of those it is erected to commemorate, whether they are 
numbered with those whose graves were on the battle-field, 
or in some obscure spot, where those whose fate was worse, 
as they died in some prison pen, were buried, or the favored 
few who could reach home and have the care of those who 
loved them before they were laid away in the quiet church- 
yard, where they had wandered when boys at home. The 
memory of these old comrades should last as long as any of 
us survive, and we should consecrate ourselves this day to 
perpetuate their names and history. 

Other nations have erected marble pillars or bronze tab- 
lets to the memory of conquerors who forged the chains of 
tyranny upon the people, but our country has fought no war 
but for the good of mankind. More than one hundred 
years ago our forefathers fought for the right of self-gov- 
ernment, and our country became the refuge of the 
oppressed of all nations, and when, in 1861, this great 
inheritance was threatened, the patriotism which had 
descended to us from our sires led us forth to battle, that 
what they had sacrificed so much for and had bequeathed 
to us should not be destroj^ed by those who had no reason 
for turning their hand against their brothers. And these 
monuments, scattered over these miles of battle-field, bear 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 439 

witness to the nobility of those who pledged their lives to 
maintain the "Union great, glorious and free." And those 
whose memory w^e meet here to-day to honor were not pro- 
fessional soldiers, but armed citizens, who, forsaking home, 
loved ones and all, came forth to do their duty, and after it 
was done, returned to the peaceful pursuits of life. No 
country ever saw such as this before, and it should be the 
example for all future generations, and should our country 
ever be threatened by foreign foe or the enemy within our 
gates, after we are gone, they will be ever watchful to pre- 
serve the integrity of our government, founded by the 
heroes of the Revolution and maintained by those we meet 
to-day to remember. 

It is not necessary, nor is this the time or place for me to 
go into the history of our regiment. You all know it full 
well. AVhat is inscribed on that plate of bronze tells but a 
small part of what it did. The element of which it was 
comprised was second to none in the service. It was of 
such men that did not dare to be cowards, and when the 
natural man would get the best of our better nature we 
Avere too proud to turn our backs from where duty called 
us. We were like the colonel of infantry who, charging 
across the field at the head of his regiment, where every 
step of his advance was marked by dead and dying men, 
saw a little rabbit scared from a bush by his advance, going 
to the rear and safety, called out, "Go it. Molly Cotton-tail, 
if I had not a reputation at stake I would be with you." 

While neither time nor ability will allow me to pay 
proper tribute to those who died while with us, I know that 
not one present here who knew him but will drop a silent 
tear to the memory of the gallant Mc Vicar, summoned too 
early in our term of service to have his zeal and merit fully 
appreciated ; we know that had he lived, high rank would 
have rewarded his ability and conscientious discharge of 
duty. That charge at Chancellorsville, where he fell, was 
as gallant a one as ever was made, and General Fitzhugh 
Lee told me, as he passed where I lay wounded, that he 



440 History of the 

never had seen one equal to it in his service, and I honor 
this Confederate officer who detailed men to make a coffin 
and see that our brave commander had a proper burial. 
When Colonel McVicar ordered us to break by fours and 
cut our way through those who outnumbered us four to 
one, it was as worthy of history as the charge of the six 
hundred at Balaklava, and was only one of many equally 
as worthy which are not known or heard of outside of 
those who took part in them. 

In thickest fight triumphantly he fell. 

Wliile intc victory's arms he led us on; 
A death so glorious our grief should quell — 

We mourn him, yet his battle crown is won. 

Who will forget among all who led our old division Gen- 
eral, John Buford. that noble man too great to seek for 
glory? He fought to win and, when victory had perched 
on our banner, no more was heard the fighting of it over 
again and seeking of vain glory through claims that w^ere 
not backed up hy deeds, and we can see him now, as he 
always was, at the point of danger on the old white horse, 
and we miss, as we honor noble John Buford, the perfect 
type of an honest and true soldier. 

Well the figure on yonder tablet of bronze calls the one 
to mind who rode in all our campaigns at the head of our 
regiment, or later commanding the brigade or division, but 
even then never forgetting Avhen he w^anted some one to 
call on for hard work to order up the old Sixth. Of him 
'General Grant said to Thurlow Weed that, excepting only 
General Sheridan, he w^as the best cavalry officer in the ser- 
vice ; but w^e cannot pass from this without remembering 
the soldier who fought in the ranks and made our regiment 
what it w^as ; coming from the work-shop, the farm and the 
counting-house, we had under us such men as any officer 
might be proud to command, and it was such in the ranks 
and file that achieved the victory and made our colonels 
generals; these were the men that never stopped 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 441 

To make reply, 

Theirs not to reason why, 

Theirs but to do and die. 

And I can say for those of us who were officers that we 
never needlessly sacrificed our men, nor asked them to go 
where we were not willing to lead them. 

History gives to Gen. John Buford and the cavalry credit 
for holding this position at Gettysburg until the infantry 
could come up and secure all the advantages it offered; 
had it not been held by us history would have had another 
story to tell of the fighting here twenty-six years ago, and 
the tide of rebellion that was turned back then, with its 
backbone broken, might have gone on with victory and had 
its object in seceding accomplished. I see now the line of 
Confederate infantry skirmishers as they advanced over 
that ground in 1863 on July 1st. I commanded the skir- 
mish line that advanced over this ridge before the infantry 
came up ; they were well on my right flank and it was sup- 
posed we were gobbled up ; and with unusual forethought 
our horses were called back and we left to care for our- 
selves as best we could. 

But. comrades. I do not want to weary you. Too many 
in these days do the fighting now that they were backward 
doing in the years gone by; the best soldier then, like old 
John Buford, did the least talking. But we love our old 
regiment with its associations, and we may be pardoned if 
our tongues are loosened when we meet with those who 
drank with us from the same canteen on the hot and dusty 
march, or rode with touch of the knee into the face of the 
enemy, for they were good and true men then, who fought 
in a righteous cause, and if they fell, we who still live will 
kiss the passing cup and drop a tear to their memory, and 
as we grow old we may be pardoned 

If when, with every ripening year, 

"We keep the harvest home, 
And to the dear Thanksg-iviug feast 

Our sons and daughters come, 



442 History of the 

And the bent soldiers of these wars 

Are seated at the head, 
Long, long the lads shall listen 

To hear the grey-beard tell 
Of those who fought at Gettysburg, 

And stood their ground so well: 
'Twas for the Union and the Flag, 

The veteran shall say, 
Our grand old cavalry held this ridge 

And kept the enemy at bay. 



GILBEET G. WOOD ON CHANCELLORSVILLE. 

Toms River, N. J., June 29th, 1902. 

Dear Comrade Easton : 

Your very welcome letter of March 20th reached me in due 
course and should have been ans.wered before — promptness is 
one of the important traits of a solider — but my soldier days 
are long past, and I now find myself getting a little slow in 
my movements. I have been quite busy since receipt of your 
letter, and have deferred answering until I could look up 
one or two articles on Chancellorsville. 

In the Century jMagazine, back in the '80 's, one article 
(by himself) detailed the action of Pleasanton in getting the 
artillery in position during that disastrous time when the 
Eleventh Corps (Howard's) was so badly routed and demoral- 
ized. — Centurj^ Magazine, September, 1886. page 745. Another 
article by ]\Ia,jor Huntington (Century ^lagazine, January, 
1887, page 471) denied that Pleasanton had collected the 
abandoned and idle guns and placed them in position or made 
any special movement or was entitled to any particular credit 
for his actions at that stage of the battle. 

I could not help wondering, when I read the latter article, 
whether the whole affair was not a dream — whether any such 
battle ever was fought; whether I was ever a soldier of the 
Sixth New York Cavalry ; whether there was ever such a regi- 
ment as the Sixth N. Y. ; in fact, whether there was ever such 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 443 

an affair as the Civil War. My recollection is that, sitting on 
my horse but a few feet from where the guns were placed, I 
saw Pleasanton dashing here and there, ordering up the guns 
wherever found, while several hells were let loose all about 
us and while that jarring tramp of Jackson's column was 
distinctly heard, ever drawing nearer ; that I heard his order to 
Major Keenan of the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry to charge, 
with his squadron (150 men) , the head of the column and check 
their advance for a few minutes, until he could get the guns 
ready; that I saw Sickles ride through the trees and tell Pleas- 
anton if he could hold them for twenty minutes, he would give 
him ten thousand men that knew nothing but fight ; I thought 
I heard Keenan 's order to his man, and saw him charge (never 
to return) at the head of his squadron. In the thick woods 
just in front of the clearing in which the guns were being 
formed, I thought I saw the line of guns in position and 
heard Pleasanton 's order to the artillery to hold their fire 
until he gave the command; I thought I saw the rebels, 
recovered from their surprise at that daring cavalry charge, 
advancing in solid mass toward those guns, standing so 
silent, with muzzles depressed, on, on, drawing frightfully 
near; I thought I heard Pleasanton tell one of his aids (Capt. 
Clifford Thomson) to ride forward and see if they were friend 
or foe ; I thought I saw Thomson wheel, throw himself on 
his horse's neck and come dashing back, shouting, "General, 
they're rebs;" I thought I saw that grey mass advancing 
still nearer, when suddenly the General arose in his stirrups 
and, swinging his sword in the air, shouted, "Now, boys, give 
them hell!" And I thought they did. 

And I think I remember that at about that time it got too 
warm for me and I changed my position for one more agree- 
able, feeling beyond question that Pleasanton had saved the 
day. Being at the time on detached duty (Adjt.-gen'l Office, 
Division Hdqrs. ) , not calling me so far to the front, I was an 
inactive, silent but fascinated observer of that frightful 
struggle at that point of the battle, and I was, and am, satis- 
fied that, if the battle was not a dream. General Pleas- 



444 History of the 

anton, one cavalry squadron of our old brigade, and those few 
collected guns, saved our army from a far greater disaster 
than it had already suffered. 

Major Huntington, in his article (Centuiy Magazine, Janu- 
ary, 1887), says, "The Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry did not 
charge there, but did charge at some other place, and under a 
different leader and against a different body of the enemy." 
I must differ with the Major on that subject, even if he w^as 
Chief of Artillery and I only a private, for my eyes were very 
keen in those days and my memorj^ is still very retentive. 

I remember reading an account of that charge written by 
one of the few survivors, in which he described the surprise of 
the rebels at the audacity of a handful of cavalry charging 
Jackson's division. 

I also remember reading, years ago, an article in one of our 
daily papers, in which Keenan's charge against Jackson's col- 
umn w^as likened to the charge of the "Light Brigade at Bal- 
aklava. ' ' 

And yet Huntington said that charge w^as not made at that 
time and place. Unless my eyes deceived me, my ears played 
me false, or my memory has become treacherous, the charge 
was made at the place and in the manner I have described, 
and Major Huntington was mistaken. 

It seems to me that in that fierce struggle of four years 
against a foe in every way "worthy of our steel," there were 
honors enough for all of us without the attempt, years after- 
ward, to deny anyone his just due. 

Of the earlier part of the battle, in w'hieh the gallant Mc- 
Vicar fell, and the Sixth New York made such a creditable 
record. I cannot write, as I was not there (but you were). 
Neither can I speak of the time after the reforming of How- 
ard's corps, as I "fell back," recrossed the Kappahannock at 
U. S. Ford and returned to my post of duty on the heights, 
where I viewed the battle in comparative safety during that 
never-to-be-forgotten dreadful night. 

You ask after my health. For an old man of three-score 
(without the ten) years and one who went through the cam- 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 445 

paign of 1862-65, I hold my own pretty well, but, of course, 
do not feel quite so spry as in the "other days." 

If you can make time before you give up the records of the 
Association, and it will not cause you too much trouble, I 
wish you Avould send me a list of all our old comrades who 
have died during the past four or five years. I like to look 
over the old records and names occasionally — it carries me 
back to the days when we were all boys. 

But I am afraid my long letter will weary you, and I had 
better call a "halt." If I am not fortunate enough to meet 
you in person at Washington in October, I will be with you 
in spirit, and wish you all a grand reunion and should like 
to be remembered to all. 

Yours fraternally, 
(Signed) Gilbert G. Wood. 

LETTER FROM COLONEL FITZHUGH READ AT 
REUNION IN BROOKLYN, N. Y. 

September 19, 1905. 
Comrades of the Sixth New" York Cavalry: 

I have been with you in thought and spirit only at your 
annual reunions for so many years that you probably regard 
your old regimental and brigade commander as almost in the 
spirit world already. Perhaps you are right, but this year I 
had really hoped to be with you, and should be in Brooklyn 
now were it not for illness in my family. 

I do not know you as you know each other, for I served 
with the regiment but a few weeks before I took command of 
the brigade and left you in the excellent hands of Colonel 
White. From that time until Appomattox I knew you only 
as the most efficient regiment in the Second Brigade of the 
First Cavalry Division, and we were too busy with more 
weighty affairs to cultivate those acquaintances and friend- 
ships that are largely made when soldiers are not in the 
immediate presence of the enemy. Dinwiddie Court House 
and Five Forks and Sailor's Creek and Appomattox occupied 



446 History of the 

our attention then, after a very hard march from Harper's 
Ferry to the James River, and thence to the final scenes at 
the surrender. Of course I knew all of our officers personal- 
ly, and Gating and Blunt and Bell and Mahnken, being on 
my staff, were my best and most esteemed army friends; and 
what gallant, self-sacrificing, noble fellows they all were! 
Yes. and throughout the whole regiment, officers, rank and file 
alike. 

I have a certain feeling of envy for men who are able to 
meet yearly, take each other by the hand, look into the 
familiar old eyes, and remind one another of scenes and inci- 
dents in those far-away times when, in the glory of youth, 
they spent those years that they value above all others in their 
lives, fighting in the field for the life of the nation, and mak- 
ing history, not only for their country, but for the world. 
Yours Avere the spirit, the enterprise, the brains, and the gal- 
lantry of the land, when patriotism called you to the field, 
and every moment since then you have thanked heaven that 
you promptly answered the call. 

But if I don't know you personally, as I should like to, I 
can love and honor you collectively, as I feel myself con- 
strained to do, and to cherish the memory of the most reliable 
fighting regiment I ever knew, true to their country, true to 
their colors, true to themselves. 

I hope, from my heart, that those of you who are left to 
meet in BrookljTi to-day are in as good health and spirits as 
when I saw you last : that your sons have the spirit of their 
fathers, and your daughters the loveliness of their mothers, 
and that we may all be spared to meet for many years to come. 

In conclusion, let me, in the name of every survivor of our 
old regiment, thank our friend Easton for his devoted solici- 
tude and fostering care of all its interests. Providence seems, 
in our case, to have put the right man in the right place, and 
we beg to assure him of our appreciation and gratitude. God 
bless you all. Gharles L. Fitzhugh, 

Late Colonel 6th New York Cavalry, 

Brevet Brig.-gen'l Gomdg. 2d Brig. 1st Gav. Div. A. of P. 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 447 

GENERAL MUNFORD. 

State Historian Hastings, in his fourth annual re- 
port, thus speaks of General Munford and the Sixth 
New York Cavalry: 

Special praise is given to the work of the Sixth New 
York Cavalry during the Chancellorsville campaign. No 
less an authority than Gen. T. T. Munford, the distin- 
guished Confederate cavalry leader, declares that the Sixth 
New York Cavalry held the road, delayed Gen. "Jeb" 
Stuart, who was in command of the Confederate cavalry, 
and enabled General Hooker to get in a position at Chan- 
cellorsville, which movement could not have been so success- 
fully accomplished had it not been for the gallant work of 
the Sixth Regiment, which has never received the credit it 
is entitled to. In a letter to the historian, under date of 
Oct. 17th. 1898. General Mmiford says: 

"I thank you for your letter asking me to send a copy of 
an address made at Binghamton at the recent reunion of 
the Sixth Ncav York Cavalry. It is an unexpected com- 
pliment, and I regret that I haven't in shape the matter you 
desire and should have, as that regiment rendered services 
for which they have had no adequate credit in the Chancel- 
lorsville campaign. I accepted an invitation to meet them, 
and had a lecture on Chancellorsville, with maps of the 
whole region, which I thought I might deliver, but I found 
that a programme had been arranged for half a dozen 
speakers, and knowing that I should weary some of the 
audience, which turned out to be a fine one of all classes, I 
concluded I had better not stick to tactics and strategy, but 
to make the best of the opportunity and trust to the 'text' 
furnished by my friends, who treated me so royally while 
there. My lecture I have never published, because I have 
been waiting for an opportunity when it might be delivered 
and have a place in the records. I led General Jackson's 
advance at Chancellorsville, and was reporting to him 



448 History of the 

direct. He was mortally wounded in that great battle. 
Gen. J. E. B. Stuart succeeded to his command. He had 
been checked a whole day by the Sixth New York Cavalry, 
and as he was the Chief of Cavalry of the Army of Northern 
Virginia, their 'eyes and ears,' my report went in, but it did 
not turn up, nor do the records show that my regiment was 
in that battle. I had served under General Jackson as his 
Chief of Cavalry in the valley after the death of General 
Ashby, and my regiment led his advance in the seven days' 
fight around Richmond, and in his campaign against Pope, 
and I had served with him as the Adjutant of the corps of 
cadets when he was acting commandant of the Virginia 
j\Iilitary Institute at Lexington, Va., and knew him as well, 
perhaps, as any man in our army did. I have never cared 
anything about my individual services, but the record of 
my old regiment and brigade and the division I commanded 
at the latter end of the war (Fitz Lee's, he commanding all 
the cavalry in General Hampton's absence), is very dear 
to me, and I am anxious, even at this late day, to put on the 
records some valuable missing links. I shall endeavor to 
give you a summary of what I said of the gallant behavior 
of the Sixth New York Cavalry in holding Fitz Lee's bri- 
gade, who were under Stuart and Fitz Lee, and preventing 
Stuart's reporting to Gen. R. E. Lee for a day and a night. 
'Time is the greatest factor in the opening of a battle,' and 
with the 'eyes and ears' eliminated. General Lee had to get 
such information as he could from other sources than his 
Chief of Cavalry. 

"I never saw any regiment better handled or more efficient 
in that wilderness than the Sixth New York Cavalry at the 
Alsop's Crossroads in Spottsylvania. They were first 
attacked by the Fifth Virginia Cavalry under Lieut.-col. 
C. H. Tyler, who were driven back with severe loss. A part 
of the Third Virginia was then sent in under Lieut.-col. W. 
R. Carter, and shared a like fate. Meantime, the Sixth 
New York had suffered the loss of its commanding officer. 
Lieutenant-colonel IMcVicar, and Captain Heermance and 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 449 

one or two other brave officers were wounded when my 
regiment, the Second Virginia Cavalry, dashed in and cap- 
tured about tiftj^ of the Sixth New York. This was a night 
fight in a thick woods, no place for cavalry on either side. 
"The Sixth New York were guarding the right flank of 
Hooker's army, the Eleventh Corps, and enabled them to 
get into position as placed by his corps commander. I 
have never seen any reports of their work, and the Eleventh 
Corps have been very much laughed at, but we who were 
there do not think justice has been done them save in a 
large degree by the historian, Hamlin, in his work on Chan- 
cellorsville. He knew nothing of the move of the cavalry 
save from Gen. J. E. B. Stuart's extremely meagre and in- 
accurate reports. Stuart had scattered his cavalry, and the 
move of Hooker was a surprise to him. Then he was placed 
in command of Jackson's corps, and seemed to think the 
less said of his cavalry the better, and General Fitz Lee 
made no report. The facts are that as Jackson marched to 
get into position to turn Hooker, Generals Stuart and Pitz 
Lee, with a corporal's guard of cavalry, guarded his rear 
and right flank, and had to picket every road and path, and 
it consumed about all the cavalry they had. So when they 
arrived at the intersection of the Brock road with the 
Plank road, Jackson gave Pitz Lee Paxton's infantry (the 
old Stonewall brigade) to hold that road, while my regi- 
ment still led his advance to get into position." 

(Special Correspondence of the N. Y. Sunday Mercury.) 

SECOND BRIGxiDE, FIEST CAVALRY DIVISION, 
MARCH 21sT, 1865. 

Makch of the Brigade — Incidents and Mud — In the 

Field — Rebel Scouts Surprised — Captures 

— A* Raid of Four Hundred Miles. 

The brigade is commanded at present by Col. Chas. L. 
Pitzhugh of the Sixth New York Cavalry, the "Old War 
Horse," Gen. Thos. C. Devin commanding the division. On 
29 



450 History of the 

Fitzhugh's staff are Capt. J. H. ]\[ahiiken. A. A. general; 
Capt. Jno. ^\". Bhiut. inspector-general; Capt. Jas. Gating, 
provost marshal; Lieut. W. W. Cliamberlin, ordnance 
officer, and Dr. A. P. Clarke, brigade surgeon. We left 
Lovettsville on the morning of the 2-l:th of February, and 
made Harper's Ferry that day, a distance of tAvelve miles. 
On the 25th we left camp at daylight, and proceeded 
toward Winchester, being joined on the way by about two 
hundred men from the dismounted camp. We passed 
through the town about 5 p.m.. and a mile or so from the 
town we received orders to send back all unserviceable 
horses and men. and to pack up five days' rations, with the 
understanding that fifteen days' rations of coffee and sugar 
were to go along with us in wagons, and for bread and meat 
the country we passed through was supposed to supply us. 
The first day we made only six miles, but on the second we 
made thirty, passing over the old battle-grounds of Fisher's 
Hill and Cedar Creek, many of the boys pointing out the 
last resting-place of companions who fell in those memo- 
rable conflicts. On the 28th we reached Newmarket, hav- 
ing made the distance of thirty-two miles. From the 1st of 
March to the -Ith we kept on our course at an easy pace, 
making, in the four days, about sixty-three miles. About 
the 2d of March it commenced to rain, and before night 
it was coming down in torrents, making us feel any- 
thing but comfortable, and leaving the roads in a terrible 
condition ; some of the horses actually stuck fast in the mud 
and had to be left there. Talk about Burnside sticking in 
the mud; had he been with us I don't suppose he would 
have made a move in a month; but with "Little Phil." the 
word is ever forward, until his object is accomplished. 

At Staunton we learned that Custer with his division 
(the Third) had a brush with the enemy, and on reach- 
ing Wa;\Tiesboro, we had ample proof that such was the 
fact; the fruits of his victory — fifteen himdred men cap- 
tured, seven pieces of artillery, thirteen stands of colors, 
and over two hundred armv wagons, manv of them loaded 



Sixth Neiv Fork Cavalry. 451 

with commissary stores. About 5 p.m. of the 4th we 
reached Charlottesville and stopped for a couple of days to 
rest our weary and footsore horses, and were in hopes that 
it would last at least a week, as forage for man and horse 
was very abundant in the neighborhood, and it was not an 
impossibility to get a little applejack or something in the 
stimulating line, which, you may rest assured, was eagerly 
sought after by the boys while out foraging; but Sheridan 
seems to think with the Bible that there should be "no rest 
for the wicked," and onward, onward, was the word. We 
entered Howardsville on the evening of the 6th and com- 
menced the work of destruction, the Seventeenth and Twen- 
tieth Pennsylvania Regiments being the regiments selected 
from our brigade to assist in the work, and from personal 
observation I can say that some of the boys handled the 
spade and shovel as if they had served an apprenticeship to 
the trade. From this point to a small village called New- 
market it was thoroughly destroyed, and our brigade, hav- 
ing nothing else to do, was ordered to start for Columbia, a 
distance of fifty-two miles, which we accomplished in 
eighteen hours, without halting. In the neighborhood sev- 
eral fine horses were captured, mostly by stratagem, as the 
people on the route learned of our approach, and concealed 
them in the woods or any place where they supposed the 
prying eyes of the Yankees would not see them. About 
ten miles from Columbia an orderly sergeant and one of the 
escort attached to brigade headquarters stopped at the 
house of a man named ^lason and were looking around 
the out-houses -for horses or anything that would be useful 
to them, when the old man, hearing a noise in the yard, 
raised the window, and seeing two mounted soldiers, in- 
quired if they did not belong to Mosby's command. Being 
answered in the affirmative, he asked a great many ques- 
tions, to which he received satisfactory replies ; and in re- 
turn informed the Sergeant where he might see four of 
Fitzhugh Lee's scouts, who happened to be in the direction 
the column was moving. The information being imparted 



452 History of the 

to Captain Bhmt of the staff, that officer selected the 
orderly-sergeant and three men, and, determined on captur- 
ing them, he started on a trot ahead of the brigade, and 
reached the house about an hour or two before daylight. 
He waked up Mr. Gait, the old gentleman who owned the 
house, who was considerably surprised to see five armed men at 
his door at such an unusual hour, but being told by Captain 
Blunt that the party belonged to Mosby's command and 
wished to communicate with his son, he sent the party 
around to the back of the house, where the basement door 
was located. There stood the scouts, in full rebel uniform. 
Captain Blunt politely informed them that he would take 
care of them for the present ; at the same time each of them 
was covered by a Colt's persuader at the distance of a 
yard; of course, resistance was out of the question, and 
they concluded to take things easy. In the basement were 
found four carbines, four sabres and four saddles, and in 
the stables their four horses, one of them a first-class animal 
called "Fairfax," who had been in the rebel service since 
the first Battle of Bull Run, and for which his owner told 
me he would give three hundred dollars in gold, not that 
the horse was actually worth the amount, but because he 
had carried him so long and so w^ell. The Captain kept him 
for his own use, and the others were turned over to the 
escort at brigade headquarters. 

We camped at Columbia for a couple of days, and on the 
11th of March started for Goochland Court-house, at which 
place we found thirty or forty rebels on picket, but the 
moment our advance guard was perceived they started as 
fast as their horses could carry them, and never stopped 
running until they put the James River between them and 
us. Captain Gating, with a few of the advance, succeeded 
in capturing one of their large scows with two horses and 
four mules on board. In the post office at Goochland were 
found a number of letters which the officers and men took 
the liberty of opening, and many of them were very inter- 
esting. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 453 

After halting here the greater part of the day. we started 
back to Columbia, and reached there just in time to start 
with the rest of the division to destroy the Virginia Cen- 
tral Railroad, which was done completely for over twenty 
miles. 

On the 12th Ave stopped at a pleasant little place called 
Coo-Coo J on the 13th at Frederickhall ; 14th, Beaverdara 
Station; 15th, Carmel Church; IGth, Mangohick; 17th, King 
William Court-house; 18th, made White House Landing, 
and the 19th we crossed the Pamunky River — and so ends 
our raid. In all we marched about four hundred miles and 
accomplished all we intended. 

THOSE DEAR OLD FAMILIAR aUIDONS. 

[Extract from Annual Report of President F. A. Easton, Veteran Asso- 
ciation Sixth New York Cavalry, October, 1898.] 

A friend of mine, Charles iM. Smith, an old soldier, while 
traveling over the battle-fields, made the acquaintance of 
Col. W. A. ]Morgan, formerly of the First Virginia Cavalry, 
and while visiting at his home in Shepherdstown, W. Va., 
found hanging in the hall two U. S. guidons, which the Col- 
onel said he picked up on the morning of May 1st, 1863, 
near Alsop's Field, between Spottsylvania Court-house and 
Chancellorsville, where he and others under Fitzhugh Lee 
engaged the Sixth New York Cavalry the night previous. 
Comrade Smith informed the Colonel of his acquaintance 
with a member of that regiment. Correspondence followed 
between Colonel Morgan and me, and I found that he 
was desirous of returning the guidons to some officer of the 
Veteran Association of the Sixth New York Cavalry. 

Accordingly, after being elected your President, and after 
consulting with Colonel Heermance and others. I took steps 
to meet Colonel Morgan and receive the guidons. 

Having planned to visit Gettysburg, Antietam, Harper's 
Ferrv. Washington. Fredericksburg. Chancellorsville. and 



454 History of the 

the scene of our engagement, where the brave McVicar fell, 
I invited all surviving members of our regiment to join me 
in the excursion. Sickness, old age, expense, and more 
particularly the Spanish War, prevented many from join- 
ing the party. 

Sergeant W. H. Boston and I left New York on June 5th, 
and at Gettysburg were joined by Sergt. J. A. Hewitt, who 
came from Joplin, Mo., to participate in the excursion. 

To give you a detailed account of our adventures at Get- 
tysburg and Antietam would take too much time, but I 
assure you we enjoyed every moment of it. Six members 
of Colonel Morgan's regiment met us at Gettysburg. The 
Blue and the Gray were happy in each other's company. 
The scene of the restoration of the guidons was the house 
attached to the National Cemetery at Antietam. 

I shall never forget our meeting with Colonel Morgan. 
We met at the entrance to the cemetery, and as we clasped 
hands and looked into each other's eyes, I thanked God for 
a reunited countrj'. I quote from the Worcester Spy, 
whose representative was present : 

The occasion of the return of the guidons so honorably 
lost was most impressive. 

The scene of the restoration was the house attached to 
the National Cemetery at Antietam. There were present, 
besides Colonel Morgan, his son, daughter and grandchild, 
members of the Fifteenth Massachusetts, several Confed- 
erates, and representatives of the Sixth New York Cavalry. 
Colonel Morgan is a fine old man, seventy-one years of age, 
but still robust. He is a powerful speaker, and his heart 
was warm to his former foes as he returned the guidons to 
Adjutant Easton, with the following address: 

"Adjutant Easton and Members of the Sixth New York 
Cavalry, Ladies and Gentlemen : 

"The old Latin quotation, 'Tempora mutantur, et nos 
mutamur in illis, ' being more liberally interpreted as 'Time 
changes and we must change with it,' has again been very 



Sixth New York Cavalrij. 455 

significantly exemplified in this pleasant meeting here to- 
day. I feel sure that you will not accuse me of duplicity 
when I address you as I have to-day as friends and fellow 
countrymen. We feel convinced of a great change as well 
in our personal feelings as in our national relations since 
we met here on these historic grounds, made imperishable 
by those who met here by virtue of their convictions of 
duty and sentiment, firm, sincere and honest, you upon your 
side and we upon our side. This change is the more grat- 
ifying now on account of the circumstances that surround 
us in the unity and good feeling "of the sections of this 
great and glorious country with her brave representatives 
marching side by side under the glorious folds of the 'Star 
Spangled Banner' that now waves so triumphantly over the 
seas — reunited in affection and interest. We recognize 
that emblem as supreme. Therefore, I address you as 
friends and fellow countrymen, and in the capacity of an 
old Confederate veteran I warmly welcome you here to-day, 
and offer you the right hand of good fellowship, and as you 
journey farther south over your old battle-grounds and re- 
visit the scenes of your fierce conflicts of long ago, nothing 
but a cordial welcome and a manifestation of good feeling 
awaits you by those who were your former foes. 

"Veterans of the Sixth New York Cavalry, doubtless we 
have met before, but never before in this pleasant and 
social way, and if the Sixth New York Cavalry ever rode 
here through the gates of the Confederacy, up and down 
through the beautiful valley of the Shenandoah — with 
Pleasanton, Averill, Merritt, Gregg. Custer, Sheridan, and 
others — then we have often met. but never again can we 
meet as this occasion presents to-day. If my memory 
serves me rightly, the First Virginia Cavalry of the Array 
of Northern Virginia and the Sixth New^ York Cavalry of 
the Army of the Potomac met on an occasion near Todd's 
Tavern, way down in old Virginia, somewhere about the 
1st of May, 1863, and I must say that I thought it in bad 
taste in the Sixth New York Cavalry, with all its opportu- 



456 History of the 

nities of interviewing the cavalry of the Army of Northern 
Virginia, to have selected that locality and the darkness 
of midnight for the transaction of business with the friends 
who wore the gray. It seems that the Sixth New York was 
an advance of General Slocnm's column on its way to that 
horrid and most lugubrious place known now as the 'Wil- 
derness,' and through which place we all have passed, 
where the hiss of the moccasin snake is heard as it glides 
away through the jungle. The mournful notes of the whip- 
poor-will and the discordant screams of the night-hawk 
seem entirely natural and in perfect harmony with such a 
locality. It was in a wing of this horrible Virginia black- 
jack thicket that we met, and the first intimation that we 
had of the presence of the Sixth New York was a ringing fire 
from their carbines across our front, the flash of their arms 
making the surrounding darkness more impenetrable. This 
volley stopped us for a while, as it was fired in our faces. 
Then we did just what every cavalryman would do — when 
he does not know what to do — went to charge right in and 
investigate. 

"AVell, there was something of a mixing up, and a con- 
siderable more of a mixing up than ordinarily. I do not 
remember about the Sixth New York, but I am fearful that 
some members of the First Virginia are still roaming about 
in that desolate place and unable to find the points of the 
compass. How long we remained in this tangle I do not 
remember, but when we did get out I had across the pom- 
mel of my saddle three beautiful guidons, the emblems of 
the Federal cavalry. One of these flags I gave to the Adju- 
tant of the regiment, who said that he would send it to his 
lieutenant, George Fraesser, whose home was in Hagerstown, 
Md. He died soon after the war, and all attempts to place 
the flag proved fruitless. I am sorry that I could not find 
the guidon so as to return it with the others. The other 
two I sent to my home, and after the great book of histori- 
cal events was closed and sealed with the best blood of the 
Northern soldiers and with the best blood of the Southern 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 457 

soldiers on the plains of Appomattox, when the 'Red Cross' 
of the South went down in gloom and in defeat, never 
again to be unfurled; Avlien the Confederate soldiers 
accepted the liberal terms of General Grant's conditions in 
faith, truth and steadfastness ; when a new era dawned 
upon this now prosperous, happy and reunited country; 
when the Southern soldier stacked his arms, leaving all 
behind him, and turned his face toward his ruined and 
deserted home, endeavoring to look to the future with hope 
that arises from the despair of the moment — I, after jour- 
neying over a country made desolate by the ruthless hand 
of war. reached my home on the south bank of the Potomac, 
and upon the walls of my hall I unfurled these emblems, 
and they have graced my home ever since. 

"Though not a member of your organization, no one of 
the Sixth New York could have guarded these flags more 
faithfully or more sacredly through all these years of a 
generation than I, awaiting just such an opportunity 
as is presented here to-day to return them to the command 
to which they properly belonged. These flags, like you and 
me, show age and hardship. The chemical composition 
of the coloring matter seems to have eaten up the fabric in 
places. 

"And now I will discharge the last duty of these 
emblems, and with the best wishes of friendship of the men 
and officers of the First Virginia Cavalry. I return to the 
Sixth New York these time-honored guidons — take them and 
carry them to your homes and show them to your old com- 
rades. Tell them how they have been so sacredly, so faith- 
fully guarded all these long years by an old rebel, awaiting 
an opportunity to return them. Be assured, my friends 
and fellow countrymen, my interest and my good feelings 
will still cling to them wherever you may carry them, and 
also be assured that my kindest feelings and my best wishes 
will accompany you upon your pilgrimage through your old 
battle-grounds, and will return with you to your northern 
homes." 



458 History of the 

The hearts of both Union and Confederate veterans were 
fnll to overflowing at the close of the speech, and J\Ir. Eas- 
ton voiced the gratitude of the Union soldiers in an elo- 
quent speech of acceptance, in which he said that the 
guidons were accepted in the same spirit in which they 
were given. He touched upon the clearing up of old 
animosities, and on the future of the united country as the 
greatest English-speaking country on earth. The occasion 
was one of great moment to the veterans of the Sixth New 
York, and the following extract from the letter of Sergt. 
J. A. Hewitt (a gold miner) of Missouri, in acceptance of 
the invitation to be present by Mr. Easton, expressed the 
feelings of all : 

"Now the time of your excursion comes, when I usually 
go to the mountains, but they may grow taller, their snow- 
crowned tops melt, and their gold go untouched, but I must 
be with you." 

Mr. Easton, in company with Lieut. -col. George M. Van 
Buren, Sergt. W. H. Boston, Sergt. J. A. Hewitt, Felix Mc- 
Gloin and Sergt. D. A. Babcock, went over the battle-fields 
of Chancellorsville and Todd's Tavern, seeking the places 
where their old comrades fell in the bloody struggle. He 
wnll shortly write the story of his trip in book form, which 
will be of paramount interest, not only to the veterans of 
the Civil War, but also to the public at large. The old 
battle-fields were clearly recalled, and the familiar scenes 
brought up memories of the past in the mind of the veteran 
Adjutant. He was one of the first twenty to go into the 
State of Virginia after the opening of the war. He 
is ' a most interesting writer and conversationalist, 
and the publication of his book, which is intended 
for the members of the Sixth New York Cavalry, will be 
looked forward to with much anticipation. 

The guidons which were returned are at present at the 
home of Mr. Easton on Elm Street. As Colonel Morgan 
said, they have been much damaged since the war, princi- 
pally on account of the coloring matter in them. They are 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 459 

of silk, in the form of a square flag, with a triangle cnt ont 
of the end. There are a number of bullet-holes through 
them, and some of the silk has rotted away. The guidons 
have been taken good care of, however, and the coloring is 
still clear. The flags are in good condition, considering 
that they have passed through some of the hottest cavalry 
fights of the Civil War. 

It was with feelings of regret that we bade good-by to 
Colonel Morgan. We may never see him again, but the 
remembrance of his noble nature will continue a bright spot 
in our experience. 

Some one present may have been with me on the morning 
of Sept. 17th, 1862. when twenty men under my command 
crossed the Central Bridge at Antietam to reconnoitre the 
Confederate position. The scenes and incidents of this 
reconnoissance were of so much interest that we delayed 
too long and lost our train for Washington. It is thirteen 
miles over the mountains from Antietam to Harper's Ferry, 
but if you had ridden as we did, you would have thought 
it was one hundred and thirteen. We arrived in Washing- 
ton that night, however, and found several members of the 
Sixth New York waiting to welcome us, and with them the 
widow of that sterling otflcer, John Kegan Malone. 

We spent the next day viewing the city, and about four 
o'clock w^e took the train for Fredericksburg. The party 
consisted of Col. Geo. M. Van Buren, Sergts. W. H. Roston, 
D. A. Babcock, J. A. Hewitt, Felix I\IcGloin and Adjt. F. A. 
Easton. 

We arrived at Fredericksburg in time to drive over the 
city before dinner. Next morning we started for Chancel- 
lorsville. having for a guide a Confederate lieutenant who 
was engaged at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. I 
had advertised for some of the Johnnies to meet us, and 
during our thirty-six mile drive many of them met us at 
the points of interest. Chancellorsville remains the same, 
except that its one house has been burned down and 
another erected. 



460 History of the 

Our visit to Alsop's Field was of deep interest, and many 
points were cleared up with the assistance of the Confed- 
erates present. Boys, we could have remained there the 
entire day, the memories were so absorbing. Incident upon 
incident crowded thick and fast upon each other, for the 
recollections of that night thirty-six years ago will be with 
us to our graves. 

Here Ave had expected to meet a gentleman who figured 
conspicuously in this engagement, but the Spanish War, to 
which he had sent two sons, made him so busy that we had 
to forego the pleasure of his company. This gentleman, 
although a Confederate, is an honorary member of the 
Fifty-seventh Regiment, Massachusetts Infantry. 

But for him the Sixth New York would have made a still 
better showing on the night of April 30th, 1863. His com- 
mand took fifty-one of our men prisoners. That is glory 
enough, considering it was the Sixth New York he opposed. 
This gentleman is now as good a citizen of the United 
States as can be found from Maine to Texas. You will hear 
from him later, and you will agree with me that manhood, 
pure and simple, is embodied in the person of Gen. Thos. T. 
Munford. 

Comrades, as you are aware, I have been authorized by 
this Association to write the history of the engagement near 
Todd's Tavern. I have not been idle, but have accumu- 
lated a mass of correspondence from which facts are to be 
gleaned. There is, however, still a missing link which I 
hope to connect before long. After that the story can be 
easily put together. 

So I can safely say that at our next reunion the tale can 
be told. 

I have done what I could as your President to further the 
objects of our Association, and will gladly turn over the 
office to the man of your choice. 

F. A. Easton, 
Pres. Vet. Assoc. Sixth N. Y. Cav. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 461 

City Point, Sept. 23, 1864. 
Gener^vl, Meade: 

Order a salute of 100 guns, shotted, at daylight to-morrow 
morning, in honor of Sheridan's second great victory. 

U. S. Grant, 
(Same to General Butler.) Lieut.-general. 

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, 

Sept. 23, 1864. 
Lieut.-gen'l U. S. Grant: 

I congratulate you and the country most heartily on the 
glorious news from Sheridan. I have ordered a salute of 100 
shotted guns from Hancock's batteries, the centre of my line, 
at sunrise to-morrow. 

Geo. G. Meade, 
Major-general Comdg. 

CHARACTERISTIC LETTERS. 

Boys, there is good common sense in the following 
letters : 

War Department, Washington, 

July 8th, 1863. 
General Lorenzo Thomas, 
Harrisburg, Pa. : 
Your dispatch of this morning to the Secretary of War is 
before me. The forces you speak of will be of no imaginable 
service if they cannot go forward with a little more expedi- 
tion. Lee is now passing the Potomac faster than the forces 
you mention are passing Carlisle. Forces now beyond Carlisle 
to be joined by regiments still at Harrisburg, and the united 
force again to join Pierce somewhere, and the whole to move 
dowTi the Cumberland Valley, will, in my unprofessional 
opinion, be quite as likely to capture the "man in the moon" 
as any part of Lee's army. 

A. Lincoln. 



462 History of the 

Washington, August 17, 1864. 

Lieutenant-general, Grant : 

I have seen your dispatch expressing your unwillingness to 
break your hold where you are. Neither am I willing. Hold 
on with a bull-dog grip, and chew and choke as much as 
possible. 

A. Lincoln. 



Washington, June 5, 1863, 4 p.m. 

Major-general Hooker : 

Yours of to-day was received an hour ago. So much of 
professional military skill is requisite to answer it that I 
have turned the task over to General Halleck. He promises 
to perform it with his utmost care. I have but one idea which 
I think worth suggesting to you, and that is. in case you find 
Lee coming to the north of the Rappahannock, I would by no 
means cross to the south of it. If he should leave a rear force 
at Fredericksburg, tempting you to fall upon it, it would 
fight in intrenchments and have you at disadvantage, and so, 
man for man, worst you at that point, while his main force 
would in some way be getting an advantage of you northward. 
In one word, I would not take any risk of being entangled 
upon the river, like an ox jumped half over a fence and liable 
to be torn by dogs front and rear, without a fair chance to 
gore one way or kick the other. If Lee would come to my 
side of the river, I would keep on the same side, and fight 
him or act on the defense, according as might be my estimate 
of his strength relatively to my own. But these are mere 
suggestions, which I desire to be controlled by the judgment 
of yourself and General Halleck. 

(Signed) A. Lincoln. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 463 

Washington, June 14th, 1863, 5.50 p.m. 

]\Iajor-general IIooker : 

So far as we can make out here, the enemy have Milroy 
surrounded at Winchester and Tyler at Martinsburg. If they 
could hold out a few days could you help them ? If the head 
of Lee's army is at jNIartinsburg' and the tail of it on the 
plank road between Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, the 
animal must be very slim somewhere. Could you not break 
him? 

(Signed) A. Lincoln. 



QUITE A SUDDEN JUMP, AND WELL 
DESERVED. 

Sergeant A. F. Hayden of Troop I, Sixth New York 
Cavalry, while on dnty at headquarters, Middle Mili- 
tary Division, was, on the recommendation of General 
Sheridan, commissioned a captain and assigned to 
dutv as A. A. General on his staff. 



POEM WRITTEN BY A MEMBER OF THE 
SIXTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

NEW YEAR'S WISH. 

'Tis happy New Year, and the loved ones at home, 
With smiles and kind wishes greet friends as they come, 
With kisses and bon-bons, and wealth of good cheer, 
With feasting and dancing, they hail the New Year. 

Far away in the wildwood, o'er hills and through dales, 
In the land of the South 'ron, where liberty pales, 
Rappahannock's dark waters flow murmuring along, 
And the wind through the pines sounds a requiem song. 



464 Sixth New York Cavalry. 

Hark ! what breaks the lone spell on the forest so still 1 
Why crash the dry limbs on yon laurel-crowned hill? 
'Tis the picket, as slowly he steals through the brake, 
Lone vig'il to keep until morn shall awake. 

No kisses for him as he w^atches the ford, 
Nor mother, nor maiden, with kind loving word, 
As with carbine advanced, and listening ear, 
He waits for a sign that the foeman is near. 

Away from his kindred, his friends and his home, 
For the cause of his country the trooper has come. 
May the battle-rent banner he hails with a cheer 
Regain its lost stars ere another New Year. 



Reports, Orders, Etc. 

Under the heading of orders, correspondence, let- 
ters, reports and extracts, many instances may be 
found in which the Sixth New York is not specially 
mentioned, the references being made of the Second 
Brigade or First Division. For the information of 
the reader, it might be well to say that they are pub- 
lished for the reason that every survivor of the regi- 
ment will well remember the prominent part the "Old 
Sixth" took in the movement, engagement or battle. 
Our regiment was in the Second Brigade of the First 
Division, commanded by General Buford. 

INSPECTION REPORT UPON THE STATE OF 

THE SIXTH NEW YORK CAVALRY MADE 

AT WASHINGTON AND CONCLUDED 

ON THE 21sT OF MAY, 1862. 

No. 1 — Commanding Officer. 

Colonel Devin, who commands this regiment, discharges his 
dnties Avith zeal and ability ; he is a perfect soldier, eminently 
fitted for his position ; a very good drill-master, and under- 
stands his duty in every respect. A well-regulated discipline 
has been established in the regiment, which must be attributed 
to the precepts and example of the Commanding Officer. He 
enjoys the respect and esteem of the officers, and the men are 
cheerful in their obedience to all orders. The greatest degree 
of attention has been paid by him to the instruction and train- 
ing of the officers and men ; they are well drilled and perfectly 
fit for any duty. 
No. 2 — Field Officers. 

The Field Officers are perfectly acquainted with their duty, 
30 



466 History of the 

and render due support and assistance to their commanding 
officer. 

No. 3 — Captains. 

The Captains are well acquainted with the interior economy 
of their troops ; command them well on parade, and will, with 
practice, doubtless do the same in the field. 
No. 4 — Subalterns. 

The subaltern officers are active and intelligent, and well 
understand their duties. 
No. 5 — Adjutant. 

The Adjutant is an excellent officer, well fitted for his situ- 
ation in every way. 

No. 6 — Quartermaster. 

The Quartermaster is also an excellent officer, and quite 
competent to his situation. 

No. 7 — Officers in General. 

They are, as a body of officers, well instructed, fitted for 
their duties, intelligent and active in their pursuit of them, 
and they appear to afford every aid and assistance in their 
power to their commanding officer. Unanimity and good 
feeling appear to exist in the regiment to a high degree. 
Books of regulations and instruction have not as yet been 
issued in a sufficient number, but have been applied for by 
the commanding officer. 

No. 8 — Non-Commissioned Officers. 

The non-commissioned officers are very intelligent, well 
drilled and perfectly competent to instruct the men ; by their 
general bearing they set a good example and support their 
own authority. Printed copies of "Field Evolutions" have 
been asked for for their use. 

No. 9 — Trumpeters. 

The trumpeters are well instructed in the different sound- 
ings, and are otherwise fitted for their situations. 
No. 10 — Privates. 

They are a particularly fine body of men, and appear 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 467 

healthy and very cleanly in their habits. They have been 
well drilled in the sword exercise, and understand the nse of 
the weapon as laid down in the regulations. 
No. 11 — jMessing. 

The messing of the men is properly attended to with refer- 
ence to comfort and economy, and the meals are of a good 
qnalifrv^ and sufficient in quantity. The men had no com- 
plaints to make with reference to their meals or any other 
subject. 

No. 12— The Camp. 

The camp is carefully pitched, very clean and orderly. 
(Signed) Chas. F. Havelock, 

Colonel A. D. C. and Inspector of Cavalry. 
Washington, D. C, May 22d, 1862. 

EXTEACT FROM A REPORT OF MAJOR- 
aENERAL HALLECK, GENERAL-IN- 
CHIEF, U. S. ARMY. 

On the 29tli (June, 1863), General Meade's army was 
put in motion, and at night was in position, its left at Emmits- 
burg and right at New Windsor. The advance of Buford's 
cavalry was at Gettysburg, and Kilpatrick's division at Han- 
over, where it encountered Stuart's cavalry, wliich had passed 
around the rear and right of our army without meeting any 
serious opposition. 

On the 30th, the First, Third and Eleventh Corps were con- 
centrated at Emmitsburg, under General Reynolds, while the 
right wing moved up to Manchester. Buford reported the 
enemy in force on the Cashtown road, near Gettysburg, and 
Reynolds moved up to that place on July 1st. He found our 
cavalry warmly engaged with the enemy, and holding him in 
check on the Cashtown road. Reynolds immediately deployed 
the advanced division of the First Corps, and ordered the 
Eleventh Corps to move promptly to its support. Wads- 
worth's division had driven back the enemv some distance and 



468 History of the 

captured a large number of prisoners, when General Reynolds 
fell, mortally wounded. The arrival of E well's corps about 
this time by the York and Harrisburg roads compelled Gen- 
eral Howard, upon whom the command devolved, to withdraw 
his force, the First and Eleventh Corps, to the Cemetery 
Ridge, on the south side of Gettysburg. 

REBEL DISPATCH CAPTURED BY BUFORD'S 
CAVALRY. 

June 30, 1863. 
Colonel : 

Get between Gettysburg and Heidlersburg, and picket at 

Mummasburg and Hunterstown. Send in the direction of 

Gettysburg and see what is there, and report to General Ewell 

at Heidlersburg. A small body of Yankee cavalry has made 

its appearance between Gettysburg and Heidlersburg. See 

what it is. 

(Signed) J. A. Early, 

Major-general. 

As future readers may wonder why the First Caval- 
ry Division (Buford's) left the field of Gettysburg 
before the battle was ended, the following letters 
(two) will explain: 

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, 

July 2d, 1863, 12.50 p.m. 
Commanding Officer Cav^vlry Corps: 

The major-general commanding directs me to say that he 
has not authorized the entire withdrawal of Buford's force 
from the direction of Emmitsburg, and did not so understand 
when he gave the permission to Buford to go to Westminster ; 
that the patrols and pickets upon the Emmitsburg road must 
be kept on as long as our troops are in position. 
Very respectfully, etc., 

Dan'l Butterfield, 
Maj.-gen'l, Chief of Staff. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 4G9 

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, 

July 2d, 1863, 12.55 p.m. 
Commanding Officer Cavalry Corps : 

My note, written five minutes since, is a little confused, I 
find. The General expected, when Buford's force was sent to 
Westminster, that a force should be sent to replace it, picket- 
ing- and patrolling the Emmitsburg road. 
He understood that all j'our force was up. 
Very respectfully, etc., 

Dan'l Butterfield, 

Maj.-gen'l Chief of Staff. 

War Department, 
Washington, July 4, 1863, 10 a.m. 
The President announces to the country that new^s from the 
Army of the Potomac, up to 10 p.m. of the 3d, is such as to 
cover that army with the highest honor; to promise a great 
success to the cause of the Union, and to claim the condolence 
of all for the many gallant fallen ; and that for this he espe- 
cially desires that on this day He, whose wall, not ours, should 
ever be done, be everywhere remembered and ever reverenced 

with profoundest gratitude. . ^ 

^ Abraham Lincoln. 

General Meade in his report on the battle of Gettys- 
burg says: 

On reaching that place on July 1st, General Reynolds 
found Buford's cavalry warmly engaged with the enemy, who 
had debouched his infantry through the mountains on the 
Cashtown road, but was being held in check in the most gal- 
lant manner by Buford's cavalry. 

Captain McCreary, signal officer, in his report on 
Gettysburg says: 

On arriving at the junction of the Fairview" and Greencastle 
turnpike, an orderly, Private Voorhees, of the Sixth New 



470 History of the 

York Cavalry, who had been assigned me, was sent with dis- 
patches to meet the Pennsylvania troops, said to be coming 
from Chambersburg. Near Greeucastle he met the column 
under General Dana, who, considering the dispatches import- 
ant, sent him to General Couch at Chambersburg. General 
Couch thanked the signal officer for the timely information 
(these arrived five hours in advance of the dispatches from 
General Meade) and caused a rapid movement of thes;e 
forces. 

Buford's cavalry had a long and desperate encounter, 
hand to hand, with the enemy, in which he drove handsomely 
before him very superior numbers. 

Hdqrs. Second Brig., First Cav. Div., A. of P., 

August 3, 1863. 
Captain : 

I have the honor to submit the following report of the oper- 
ations of this brigade during the action of Saturday, 1st inst. 

The brigade was ordered to march to Beverly Ford at 3.30 
a.m., and crossing at that point to work down the south side 
of the river to Rappahannock Station, for the purpose of cov- 
ering the party who should cross and lay the pontoon bridge 
at that point. 

AiTiving at Beverly Ford before daylight, I found the river 
not fordable, and (acting in pursuance of instructions) I 
immediately proceeded down the north bank to Rappahannock 
Station, w^hen I reported to General Buford, who ordered me 
to halt until a party should cross in boats and cover the bridge. 

The pontoon having been laid about 8 a.m., I crossed with 
the brigade in advance of the division, and deploying the 
Sixth New York to the front and left as skirmishers, formed 
the Ninth New York and Seventeenth Pennsylvania in col- 
umn, with Vincent's section of battery in the centre, and 
advanced on the left of the railroad and toward Brandy 
Station. 



Sixth Netv York Cavalry. 471 

Soon after passing though the woods which front Rappa- 
hannock Station, my skirmishers encountered those of the 
enemy and drove them gradually back to the heights in front 
of Brandy Station. 

I masked the Sixth and Ninth and section in the woods, and, 
advancing to reconnoitre the enemy's position, could plainly 
see three gams posted on and behind the crest in my front, and 
my skirmishers reported that a heavy force of cavalry was 
drawn up in lines behind the crest. At the same time their 
dismounted skirmishers deployed and advanced down the hill. 

I immediately dismounted and deployed two squadrons of 
the Seventeenth Pennsylvania to meet them, at the same time 
sending to the rear to notify the General commanding of the 
presence and force of the enemy. 

The cavalry behind the crest showing a disposition to charge 
my skirmishers, I unmasked and deployed the Ninth New 
York and ordered them to advance in support, when they 
were immediately opened upon by the rebel battery. 

Ordering Vincent's section into position I engaged the bat- 
tery, while I crowded the skirmishers to the front, driving the 
enemy from the base of the hill. 

The regular brigade having arrived to support me, I 
ordered the Ninth New York to break into column, march 
to the left and front and turn the enemy's right flank in 
rear of the hill. 

As soon as the movements (which were executed at a rapid 
gait) were in course of accomplishment the enemy evacuated 
his strong position and retired precipitately through Brandy 
Station, taking up a new position one mile in rear, leaving a 
force in the woods on our front and left. 

The woods were soon cleared by the dismounted skirmishers 
of the Ninth New York, and the brigade closing on him 
rapidly, the enemy was again driven to the farm of Mr. 
Kennedy, when he opened a heavy fire from a battery in 
position on the right of the railroad. 

While rapidly gaining ground to the front, I ordered the 
Ninth New York to charge on the right flank of the battery 



472 History of the 

and take the guns. The Sixth New York and Seventeenth 
Pennsylvania not having come in from the right, I charged 
with the Ninth New York. The regiment dashed through the 
fields on the left and when within fifty yards of the battery, 
the head of the column was throw^i into disorder while pass- 
ing a gap in the fence, and before they could reform received 
a charge of grape and canister from the guns and were 
charged by the enemy's cavalry from the corn-field in front. 

The regiment fell back, but quickly rallied, and again 
charged, but the opportunity had passed, as the pieces were 
immediately withdrawn. 

The brigade again pressed the enemy in the face of a heavy 
artillery fire, driving him within less than one mile of Cul- 
peper, and in plain sight of the town. 

At this juncture a heavy force of infantry was thrown 
against the front and right of General Merritt's regular bri- 
gade, and I was ordered to support him and retire on his left. 

Detaching two squadrons Seventeenth Pennsylvania to 
deploy on and support his skirmish line, I retired slowly to 
Brandy Station, where I formed the brigade in line, facing 
the enemy, sending one squadron of the Sixth and one of the 
Ninth New York to the front as skirmishers to support and 
relieve those of General Merritt. 

After his column had passed, I retired the brigade, leaving 
the two squadrons as skirmishers in the woods at the station, 
which position they held until after dark, in the face of a 
heavy artillery fire and from the infantry skirmishers. 

That night the brigade bivouacked betw^een Rappahannock 
and Brandy Stations. 

Throughout the whole action the troops behaved splendidly 
with the exception of the momentary confusion in the Ninth 
New York. 

The brigade advanced in line under a hea\'y artillery fire 
which killed five of the Ninth New York and wounded many 
more, besides unhorsing many of the men, but not for a 
moment were they thro^\Ti into confusion or their lines broken 
bv the fire. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 473 

In retiring, the same spirit was exhibited, coolly forming 

and facing to the rear when ordered, deploying as skirmishers, 

and engaging the enemy with as mneh readiness as when 

advancing. ^^ „ ,, 

very respectinlly, etc.. 

Thos. C. Devin, 

Col. Comdg. Brigade. 

Headquarters First Cavalry Division, 

August 3d, 1863, midnight. 
Major-general Pi^asanton : 

To-day, by virtue of your instructions, I sent Colonel Devin 

to picket ill front of Slocum's corps, supposing they were od 

this side of the river. The result is the following dispatch : 

Headquarters Second Brigade, Buford's Cav. Div. 

Near Kelly's Ford, 7 p.m. 
Capt. T. C. Beall, a. a. G., First Cav. Div. 

Captain : 

I have the honor to report that, on arriving at Kelly's Ford, 
I found the infantry division had been withdrawn to the 
north side of the river. No notice appeared to have been 
given of our coming, and the infantry occupied the rifle-pits 
on our appearance. 

I crossed the river and reported to General Sloeum, who 
thought it nuAvise and altogether unnecessary for me to remain 
on the south side, as I could effect nothing by so doing, unless 
by going to a distance, which would l3e unsafe with my com- 
mand. He has the whole north bank picketed to Ellis' Ford. 
He desired me to go into camp on the north side to-night, and 
report to him in the morning, when he would give me my 
instructions as to observing the country on the front and left. 
I am in camp on the hill fronting the river, on the south side 
of the road leading up from Kelly 's Ford to Holly Church, on 

the oMorrisville road. ^^ „ „ 

Very respectinlly, 

Thos. C. Devin, 

Col. Comdg. Brigade 



474 History of tlie 

I have ordered that my pickets should be in communication 
with his. I am disgusted and worn out Avith the system that 
seems to prevail. There is so much apathy and so little dis- 
position to fight and co-operate that I wish to be relieved from 
the Army of the Potomac. I do not wish to put myself and 
soldiers in front where I cannot get a support short of twelve 
miles. The ground I gain I should like to hold. The recon- 
noissance made on the 1st of August was a success, yet the 
First Corps gets the credit of saving me from disaster. I am 
willing to serve my country, but I do not wish to sacrifice the 

brave men under my command 

Jno. Buford, 
Brig.-gen'l of Vols. 

Headquarters Cavalry Corps, 

AugTist 4tli, 1863. 
jMajor General Humphreys, 
Chief of Staff. 
General: I enclose two dispatches from Buford. I must 
object to General Slocum taking command of my troops when 
they have specific orders. If General Slocum cannot keep his 
own troops on the south side of the Rappahannock, I beg he 
may not be permitted to interfere with mine, or the cavalry 
will soon become so cautious and timid as to lose their effi- 
ciency. General Buford has, I fear, grounds for complaint 
in not being properly supported. 

Very respectfully, 

A. Pleasanton, 
Maj.-gen'l Comclg. 

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, 

August 4th, 1863. 
Major-general Slocum : 

It appears from the reports of the officer commanding the 
cavalry that you have misapprehended the position of Colonel 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 475 

Devin and his brigade. They were sent to picket and scout 
the country in front of the Kappahannock, and particularly 
the roads from Kelly's Ford to Ely's, Germanna and Stevens- 
burg-, with a view of ascertaining as far as practicable the 
position of the enemy and more particularly to notify you in 
the event of any movement threatening your position. 

Under these circumstances, your withdrawal of the com- 
mand to the south bank of the river, as reported, is not 
approved. You will please require Colonel Devin to carry out 
his original instructions received from General Buford, and, 
in case the enemy should think proper by superior numbers 
to drive him in, you will be prepared to support his retreat 
and withdrawal, if necessary, across the river, though this 
contingency is not deemed probable. 

Please direct Colonel Devin to connect his pickets with those 
of Buford on his right, and I desire that you report to these 
headquarters when he shall have proceeded to execute his 
orders. He can also communicate through the telegraph at 
your headquarters with these headquarters. 

Geo. G. jMeade, 

Major-general. 

These communications are given to show to the 
reader that the cavalry had much to contend with 
other than the Confederates in their front. 

Headquarters Second Brigade, First Cav. Div., 

August 6th, 1863. 
Captain : 

I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
operations of this brigade since crossing the Potomac at 
Edward's Ferry to take part in the Maryland campaign : 

Arriving at Poolesville, Md., June 27th, the brigade 
marched with the division to Jefferson, where it encamped 
for the night, reaching Middleto\^^l on the morning of the 
28th. 



476 History of the 

On the 29th marched via. Cavetowii and IMonterey across 
South ^Mountain to Fountain Dale, near Millerstown. 

On the 30th marched by Eramitsbnrg- to Gettysburg, 
Pa., and encamped. Scouting parties were immediately sent 
out to observe the approaches from Carlisle, Harrisburg and 
York. The country toward the above points was thoroughl}^ 
scoured, and a number of prisoners were taken, from whom 
important intelligence was elicited and forwarded to head- 
quarters. 

Battle of C^ttysburg, Pa. 

On the morning ol July 1st the pickets of the First Bri- 
gade, on the road to Cashtown, were driven in by a heavj* 
force advancing from that direction, and the Second Brigade 
was ordered to prepare for action and form on the crest of the 
hill on the right of the First Brigade. I immediately formed 
as ordered, with my right resting on the road to Mummasburg, 
and deployed a squadron of the Sixth New York to the front 
and left as skirmishers, dismounted, and connecting with 
those of the First Brigade, at the same time connecting by 
skirmishers and videttes with my pickets on the three roads 
on the right leading toward Carlisle, thus establishing a con- 
tinuous line from the York road on the extreme right to the 
left of the First Brigade on the Cashtown road. 

The infantry not having arrived, and the enemy's artillery 
fire increasing, I was ordered to retire gradually, as they suc- 
ceeded in getting the range of my position. This I effected in 
successive formations in line to the rear by regiment, in the 
face of the enemy, the troops behaving well and forming with 
perfect coolness and order. 

About this time my skirmishers on the right were forced 
back by the advance of the enemy's line of battle, coming 
from the direction of Heidlersburg. Knowing the importance 
of holding that point until the infantry could arrive and be 
placed in position, I immediately placed the Ninth New York 
in support, and, dismounting the rest of my available force, 



Sixth Neiu York Cavalry. 477 

succeeded in holding the rebel line in check for two hours, 
until relieved by the arrival of the Eleventh Corps, when I 
was ordered to mass my command on the right of the York 
road and hold that approach. While in that position — imme- 
diately in front of the town, the command faced to the front 
and my pickets on the York road advanced three-quarters of 
a mile — a heavy fire of shells was opened on us from one of 
our own batteries on Cemetery Hill, immediately in my rear. 
The fire becoming very hot and persistent, and many of the 
shells bursting among us, I was led to suppose for a moment 
that the enemy had succeeded in gaining that position, and I 
immediately removed my command into the town, the column 
being shelled the whole distance. After I had retired the 
battery turned its attention to my pickets on the road, and 
shelled them out. I was then ordered to the Emmitsburg 
road, where the brigade was formed in line, in rear of the 
batteries of the division, with its right flank resting on the 
town. 

The enemy, having gained the York road, entered the town 
immediately after my pickets retired, and, passing through 
with their sharpshooters, attacked the flank of the brigade, 
killing and wounding several men and horses. I immediately 
dismounted one squadron of the Ninth New York, who, with 
their carbines, drove them some distance into the town, pun- 
ishing them severely. The brigade was then ordered to the 
extreme left, where it bivouacked for the night. 

The next morning, July 2d, while I was engaged reconnoi- 
tring in rear of the enemy's right, our sharpshooters became 
engaged with a division of the enemy advancing to feel our 
lines in front of my position. I immediately dismounted and 
deployed two squadrons in support of Berdan's sharpshooters 
(who were engaged in my front) and formed the brigade into 
line on the left of the First, with one section of Tidball's 
battery in position. The enemy not pressing his advance, and 
the Third Corps coming into position, we were ordered to 
march to Taney town, where we bivouacked, and marched the 
next morning, July 3d, to Westminster. 



478 History of the 

Battle of Williamsport. Md. 

On arriving near Williamsport, I found our batteries engag- 
ing the enemy, supported by parts of the First and Reserve 
Brigades, a part of which were also dismounted and engaged 
with the enemy's infantry. I was ordered to mass my brigade 
in the woods in the rear of the position and await instructions. 

At 7 p.m. I was ordered to relieve the First Brigade, then 
engaged on the left front, and at dark to retire my command 
again to the woods, which I was to hold until daylight, to 
enable the other brigades to retire on a suitable position near 
the cross-roads. Retiring as ordered, I withdrew my skir- 
mishers to a line five hundred yards in advance of my position, 
and connecting with the woods at the same distance on each 
flank, completely covering the road. I had previously strongly 
picketed the roads in rear toward Sharpsburg on the left and 
Hagerstown on the right. Lieutenant Blunt of the Sixth New 
York, whom I had sent to the right to reconnoitre, ascertained 
the presence of a strong force of infantry and artillery in 
close proximity to my right flank. The enemy's skirmishers 
also commenced to feel their way on my left. 

About midnight the enemy advanced on my front and 
engaged the skirmishers. He was repulsed and soon after 
retired. Our loss was Captain Van Buren, Sixth New York, 
two sergeants and one private missing. 

Just at daybreak, I made a demonstration on the enemy's 
front by charging down with a squadron of the Sixth New 
York, driving in his skirmishers and pickets on the reserve, 
and throwing them in confusion, under cover of which move- 
ment I withdrew the main body one mile to the rear, and took 
up a position in front of the road running from Hagerstown 
to Sharpsburg. I then withdrew my slrirmishers from the 
front and the pickets from the roads, and retired slowly, the 
enemy following very cautiously, and halting when my rear 
guard faced about. 

After retiring about two and one-half miles, I was ordered 
to halt, rest men and horses, strongly picket the roads to 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 479 

the rear, and, if possible, hold the position until the division 
of General Kilpatrick and the two brigades of General Bu- 
ford's division had crossed Antietam Creek. 

About 11 a.m. the enemy appeared in force in our rear 
with infantiy and artillery. I immediately ordered up the 
Ninth Ne-w York (Colonel Sackett) to hold him in check, and 
sent an orderly to notify General Buford. As soon as I ascer- 
tained that the rear of General Buford 's column w^as crossing 
Antietam Bridge, I ordered Colonel Sackett (who by this 
time was hotly engaged) to fall back on the brigade. I then 
took up the line of march, and followed the division, the 
enemy becoming bolder, and closely pressing my rear, under 
Colonel Sackett, who fell back fighting, his men behaving 
splendidly, making a stand at every favorable point, and 
often repulsing and punishing the enemy's sharpshooters. On 
arriving near the creek, I dismounted two squadrons of the 
Seventeenth Pennsylvania and posted them on the hill com- 
manding the bridge, intending to give the enemy a warm 
reception. He was, however, too cautious to approach the 
creek, which we crossed unmolested, and joined the division, 
having suffered a loss of eight killed and wounded while retir- 
ing, all of the Ninth New York. That night the brigade en- 
camped at Boonsboro. 

Battle of Boonsboro, Md. 

The next morning, July 8th. the enemy advanced in force 
do^^^l the Hagerstown turnpike. The alarm being sounded, I 
formed the brigade in line of battle along the crest in my 
front, and at nearly a right angle with the line of the First 
and Reserve Brigades, connecting with the left of the latter 
and covering the approach from Williamsport. 

I "also deployed two squadrons to the front as skirmishers, 
connecting with those on the right, and ordered Llajor 
Beardsley, Sixth New York, to advance to the hill on the 
left of the "Williamsport road. The enemy having gained 
possession of and established a battery on the heights on the 



480 History of the 

right, completely commanding the "VVilliamsport road, j\Iajor 
Beardsley was unable to reach the hill, but was forced to 
retire into the woods under a hot fire. He retained the latter 
position, however, for two hours without loss. 

In the meantime, my skirmishers had been more or less 
engaged, but about 2 p.m. the enemy being reenforced, a 
determined and vigorous attack was made on my position. I 
was forced to dismount the whole of the Seventeenth Penn- 
sylvania and Sixth New York, which held the enemy with 
varying success, sometimes being forced back and again re- 
gaining their lost ground. I was obliged to relieve those en- 
gaged with others, as their anununition became expended, so 
that by 5.30 p.m. my whole command had been engaged, and 
I had not a dozen cartridges left. I was, therefore, obliged 
to retire the brigade, after notifying General Kilpatrick of 
my action. One regiment of his command had been put in 
on my front about 3.30 p.m., but could not have held the 
position for ten minutes had I withdrawn sooner, as proved 
by the fact that as soon as my brigade was withdra^vn the 
enemy carried the position nearly up to the turnpike, and 
w^as held in check only by the batteries posted near the road. 
Our men behaved splendidly, holding and even driving the 
enemy with their pistols after their carbine ammunition was 
expended. 

About 6 p.m. I was ordered to advance to the extreme front 
and right, and support the First Brigade, then rapidly driv- 
ing the enemy up the turnpike. I advanced as ordered, form- 
ing in the fields in rear of the First Brigade, under the fire 
of the enemy's batterv', and closing up in support imtil or- 
dered at dark to retire, when the brigade returned and biv- 
ouacked between Boonsboro and the Gap. 

Battle op Beaver Creek, Md. 

On the following morning, July 9th, the brigade again ad- 
vanced with the division to a point two and one-half miles in 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 481 

front of Boonsboro, where it was halted and massed in the 
fields. 

About 5.30 p.m. the division was ordered to advance, and, 
crossing- Beaver Creek, to carry the crest, if practicable, and 
feel the enemy's position. The Second Brigade being on the 
left, I deployed a sqnadron as skirmishers, mounted, to sweep 
the left to the bend of Antietam Creek previous to the gen- 
eral advance; directed Lieutenant Albert 0. Vincent to place 
his section of battery in position on the crest in front of my 
centre; dismounted two squadrons as skirmishers, connecting- 
with the left of the First Brigade, and advanced with the 
division line. After a short but sharp skirmish, the crest was 
carried in a most gallant manner by the skirmishers alone, 
and in a space of time remarkably short considering the posi- 
tion. The squadron on the extreme left running into an 
extensive cavalry camp and dispersing the force, I immedi- 
ately followed wdth the brigade and section of battery, and 
the enemy was driven for nearly two miles, until darkness 
rendered further pursuit useless. The brigade bivouacked on 
the field. 

Battle of Funkstown, Md. 

Early the next morning, July 10th, the brigade moved for- 
ward on the left of the division, and soon became engaged 
with the enemy's skirmishers, who, after a sharp action, were 
driven along the south bank of Antietam Creek and across the 
bridges on the left of Funkstown. Ascertaining that the 
latter place was held by Longstreet's corps, the brigade was 
halted, and remained in position, holding the approaches 
across the two bridges on the left until about 2 p.m., when, 
the Sixth Corps having arrived, the brigade was ordered to 
retire behind Beaver Creek, where it bivouacked for the night. 

The following day, the First and Second Brigades marched 
by Boonsboro to Bakersville, where they remained until the 
morning of July 14th. During this time the country in front 
of the Second Brigade was thoroughly examined, and the 
position of the enemy on the left definitely ascertained. 
31 



482 History of the 

Falling Waters, Md. 

On the morning above mentioned (July 14th) the two bri- 
gades were ordered to advance and feel the enemy's position, 
the Second Brigade sweeping the country between tlie Poto- 
mac and the road to Falling Waters. On approaching the 
enemy's works near Downsville, they were found to be evac- 
uated. The brigade rapidly advanced on the left of the First 
and soon engaged the skirmishers of the enemy's rear guard, 
capturing a large number of prisoners and driving the skir- 
mishers ahead of them to Falling Waters. 

On approaching the crest of the hill at the ford, they Vv'ere 
opened upon by the enemy's batteries posted upon the oppo- 
site bank. A regiment was then dismounted and deployed 
through the woods on the right of the ford, w^hich the maiiv 
force had by this time succeeded in crossing, leaving a rear 
guard to engage our advance. 

The country in the neighborhood of the ford having been 
thoroughly scoured, the command returned to Bakers ville, 
and bivouacked for the night. 

On the next day, July 15th, marched by Sharpsburg to 
Berlin, and went into camp. 

Throughout the whole of these sharp and rapidly succeed- 
ing engagements, the men have behaved like veterans — as 
most of them now are — not a single instance of misbehavior 
having been brought to my notice. The officers were also 
prompt, brave and efficient in the execution of their duties. 

The brigade staff — Captain Harrison White and Lieuten- 
ants J. Henry Mahnken, Eaymond L. AV right and James Ga- 
ting — have rendered invaluable service in conducting recon- 
noissances, ascertaining the position of the enemy 's lines, and 
transmitting orders on the battle-field, and to them, as much 
as to myself, is owing whatever success has attended the oper- 
ations and dispositions of the brigade. 

When all have done so nobly it is hard to discriminate, but 
if any one name deserves to be mentioned above that of others 
for cool and daring braverv^ and valuable services rendered on 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 483 

many occasions, it is that of Second Lieutenant John W. 
Blunt, Troop M, Sixth New York Cavahy. 

Majors Anderson and Reinhold, Seventeenth Pennsylvania 
Cavalry ; Captains Hanley, Corrigan and Bentley, Ninth New 
York Cavalry, and Pierce and Heermance (wounded at Boons- 
boro), Sixth New York Cavalry, were also distinguished for 
bravery and efficient service. 

Corporal John W. Shumaker, Third West Virginia (taken 
prisoner scouting without the enemy's lines at Gettysburg) ; 
Sergeants Silas N. Pierce and Lorenzo D. Cole, Sixth New 
York; Regimental Commissary Sergeant S. M. AVhicher, Cor- 
porals Alpheus Hodges and John Samuelson, Ninth New 
York, and Sergeant Samuel Snyder, Jr., Seventeenth Penn- 
sylvania, were also distinguished for many acts of personal 
bravery. Assistant Surgeon Morton, Third West Virginia, 
and Surgeon-in-chief of Second Brigade, is entitled to special 
mention for active service on the field, and unremitting and 
efficient discharge of duty in his care of the wounded. 

Very respectfully, etc., 

Thos. C. Devin, 
Colonel Commanding Brigade. 

Captain T. C. Bacon, A. A. G. 

Headquarters First Cavalra^ Division, 

November 14, 1863. 

Colonel : On the morning of Oct. 10th, while at Stevensburg, 
I received the following instructions, viz. : 

Headquarters Cavalry Corps, 

Oct. 9, 1863. 
Brigadier-general Buford, 

Commanding First Cavalry Division. 
General: You will force a passage at Germanna Ford as 
soon as possible, pursue the enemy, and endeavor to uncover 
Morton's Ford, communicating with General Newton, com- 
manding First Corps, who is instructed to force a passage 



484 History of the 

there also. This being effected, yoii will continue to follow 
the enemy, reporting your progress frequently. 

Very respectfully, 

A. Pleasanton, 
Major-general Commanding. 

These instructions were handed to me after sunrise, and 
found the division without a particle of forage. The train 
was at Culpeper awaiting its supply. ***** 

At 8.30 a.m. the command, composed of Colonel Chapman's 
First Brigade, with Williston's battery, and Colonel Devin's 
Second Brigade, with Heaton's battery, with three days' ra- 
tions, without a particle of grain, was in motion, and reached 
Germanna Ford about noon, where preparations were made 
to force a crossing. * ****** 

The command next marched over the rough country near 
the river until it reached the enemy's entrenchments in rear 
of Morton's, capturing the different pickets at the fords from 
Germanna to Morton's, arriving at Morton's after night, and 
having driven the enemy out of his exterior entrenchments. 
The command bivouacked for the night, leaving the enemy 
in considerable force to hold his interior works and the ford. 
The next morning about 7 o'clock, I learned that the First. 
Corps had retired during the night, and that the commanding 
general had changed the programme. 

Being without instructions, and my train having been or- 
dered to recross the Eappahannock, I was at a loss to know 
what course to pursue. At this point a messenger arrived 
with instructions, of old date, for me not to cross the Rapidau 
at all, but to return and recross the Rappahannock at the 
station or Kelly's. I immediately started to recross the Rap- 
idan at IMorton's, driving with ease the enemy from his inner 
works. He retired toward Raccoon, and finding that he was 
not followed, and receiving reinforcements, soon returned to 
retard my crossing. The ford was bad and had to be repaired, 
which caused some delay. During this crossing the enemy 
was very active on my left flank, skirmishing, and in crossing 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 485 

the river above at Raccoon. This latter movement was dis- 
covered in time to foil his plan, and Colonel Chapman, with 
all of his brigade that had crossed, was sent to check him 
while Devin crossed his command. Colonel Devin was sorely 
pressed, as his force on the enemy's side decreased, but he, 
by frequent dashing- and telling charges, and the two batter- 
ies by their fire from the north side, kept the enemy from 
closing on his rear. Colonel Devin 's command on this occa- 
sion was beautifully handled, fought too bravely, and conse- 
quently suffered quite severely. 

Captain Conger, Third West Viro:inia, by his courage and 
hard fighting won the admiration of all who saw him. 

While Colonel Devin was doing so M^ell, Colonel Chapman, 
with his brigade, had made his preparations to meet the force 
that had crossed at Raccoon, and a very warm reception he 
gave them. He found a very superior force of cavalry formed 
and ready to charge. He speedily made his dispositions, and 
as soon as completed, down came this overwhelming' force of 
cavalry upon him. not to stay, however, but to be hurled back 
, dismayed, in confusion, and terribly punished. Shortly after 
the rout of this cavalry, its support (infantry force) 
advanced, and Colonel Chapman withdrew from his position 
directly toward Stevensburg. When near Stevensburg:, the 
Second Brigade connected, each line still followed closely by 
the enemy. Seeing a number of wagons passing- along the 
road from Culpeper. through Stevensburg toward Kelly's, I 
determined to make a stand until they were all safe. Here the 
division fought the enemy's cavalrs^ until its support came 
up with its long-range muskets. The division then withdrew,, 
making an obstinate resistance at Stevensburg, until every- 
thing was safely across that nasty stream. Mountain Run, across 
which it leisurely retired to Brandy Station without a deal 
of molestation from the enemy, although closely followed by 
him. To my surprise, at Brandy Station I found the rear 
guard of the Fifth Corps passing through to cross the Rappa- 
hannock. I knew nothing up to this time of how extensive 
this retrograde movement of our army was, and here learned 



486 History of the 

that General Pleasantou, with the Third Division, was still 
in rear of the Fifth Corps. Arrangements were immediately 
made to make a stand nntil the Third Division should arrive. 

The enemy seeing the Third Division across the open coun- 
try, and being out of my sight, turned their column in that 
direction. The Third Division soon made a connection with 
my right. As soon as this was accomplished, the Sixth New 
York charged, followed closely by the Ninth New York, and 
soon regained the advantage that the enemy supposed he had. 
It was a very severe hand-to-hand fight, Devin's troops 
using the sabre. The enemy pressed my left closely in retir- 
ing, and made several feints in my front, but by 8 p.m. the 
division was across the Rappahannock. During the night 
we found our forage and went to sleep. * * * 

Following instructions from army headquarters, the 
next day, the 12th, at 12 m. the division was across the river 
again and in motion. After advancing about tw^o miles, the 
enemy's pickets were driven in, and the advance commenced 
skirmishing with the enemy. Finding his force insignificant, 
a general advance was ordered, and he was driven to within 
one and a half miles of Culpeper. The object of the expe- 
dition being accomplished, the division returned and biv- 
ouacked on the left of the infantry near Brandy. 

All the men of the conunand seemed gratified at having 
again passed over their old fighting ground, because they were 
enabled to recover the bodies of some of their comrades who 
had fallen the day before, and to administer to and remove 
several wounded men who had been neglected and who would 
undoubtedly have perished but for their timely assistance. 
It was truly gratifying to be able to recover these wounded 
men and to bury the men that had been stripped and aban- 
doned by the enemy. 

At 12 that night, the infantry withdrew beyond the Rap- 
pahannock, my division bringing up the rear, and recrossed 
by daylight on the 13th. 

(On the 13th General Buford received ordera to cover the 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 487 

rear and flank of the trains of the army' on their march to 
Centreville via Brentsville.) 

The division remained in camp, watching the river and 
resting until the trains were well nnder way, and then moved 
to camp near Warrenton Junction, the trains being near 
Catlett's and AVeaverville. 

On the lith the rear of the trains was delayed in getting 
under way, and it was several hours before the division was 
in motion. At Brentsville the trains were found parked, 
and little disposition to move was displayed by the few quar- 
termasters that I could find, until toward night, when Gen- 
eral Warren's tiring was seen. The division stood to horse, 
and during the whole night every effort was made to keep 
the wagons in motion. Shortly after General Warren's firing 
had ceased, my pickets were fired into, but no further moles- 
tation was offered. During the night General Gregg, with 
his division, came to my assistance, and remained until it was 
thought prudent for him to continue his march. 

After daylight on the 15th, when the fog had risen and the 
rear wagon was safely across Broad Run, the division started 
and marched to the crossing of Cedar Run, followed by a 
small cavalry force, which was kept at a respectable distance. 

After the last of the pontoon train was reported safely 
across Cedar Run, I felt greatly relieved, but judge of my 
surprise when I found that the whole of the wagons, after a 
circuitous route, had recrossed to the enemy's side of Cedar 
Run. In this position the enemy's cavalry made a brisk 
advance and fortunately struck me, instead of the flank of 
the trains, which I believe to have been his design. The divi- 
sion immediately gave battle and held him off until the 
report came that the last Avagon was across Bull Run, and that 
General Gregg was there also. The day's work was well 
done and over, and our anxiety at an end. 

When the enemy advanced upon me the last time, I sup- 
posed he would come with a heavier force than mine and 
come to have some of the wagons. Every man of the com- 
mand had made up his mind that there should be no child's 



488 History of the 

play on his part, so when he did appear, with a determined 
will we went at him and before Ions: drove him back. The 
Seventeenth Pennsylvania strnck him in flank, making him 
give way, which allowed us to get a strong position, which 
we held until after night and until the last wagon M^as well 
on the way toward Fairfax Station. Not a single wagon 
that I could hear of was either destroyed or captured. 

The division thus marched on across Bull Run until close 
up to the trains, halted in the road, and, in an exhausted 
state, fell asleep l\v the roadside till morning, when it moved 
on and encamped at Brimstone Hill. 

Very respectfully, etc., 
(Signed) John Buford, 

Brig.-gen. Commanding. 
LiEUT.-coL. C. Ross Smith, 

Chief of Staff Cavalry Corps. 

Tlie Seventeenth Pennsylvania above mentioned 
was led by Captain Wright of the Sixth New York. 

EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF BRIGADIER- 
GENERAL KILPATRECK ON HIS "RAID 
TO RICHMOND," FEB. 28, 1864. 

I directed Major Hall, with 450 men of the First Division, 
to drive in the enemy's pickets, and make a determined attack 
in order to cover the movements of the main column. I 
struck across the country to the South Anna and crossed at 
a point three miles above Ashland at daylight, Tuesday morn- 
ing. The attack of Major Hall totally deceived the enemy 
as to the movements of the main column, which passed on, 
crossed the railroad seven miles below Ashland, tore up a 
considerable portion of the track, destroyed a culvert, passed 
on and reached the Brook pike, at a point five miles from 
Richmond, at 10 a.m. The enemy's artillery, engaged with 
Major Hall, could be distinctlv heard in mv rear. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 489 

It might be well to say here, for the mformation of 
the reader, that when General Kilpatrick started on the 
raid, he had under his command not only his own 
division, but details from the First and Second Divis- 
ions, and that Major Wm. P. Hall of the Sixth New 
York Cavalry was in command of the First Division 
detail, consisting of 34 officers and 697 enlisted men. 

Headquarters Second Brigade, First Cavalry Division, 

March ISth. 1864. 
Captain : 

I have the honor to report that, in compliance with instruc- 
tions from division headquarters to reconnoitre the front, I 
ordered Lieutenant Cating-, of my staff, with an escort of 
twenty-five men of Sixth and Ninth New York, under com- 
mand of Captain Goodrich, Ninth New York, to proceed to 
the vicinity of Woodville and ascertain whether any force 
of the enemy was moving in our front, and if opportunity 
offered upon his return, to beat up some of the bushwhackers 
in that neighborhood. 

The party started last night at 10 o'clock, passed through 
Woodville at 3 a.m. and reached Speriyville before daylight 
without opposition. Learning that a rel^el major who was 
conscripting in that vicinity was at his house in the moun- 
tains north of Sperryville, Lieutenant Cating impressed a 
guide, proceeded to and surrounded the house, and captured 
the officer (]\Iajor Swindler. Seventh Virginia Infantry) and 
two men. 

The rebel cavalry continually harassed the party on their 
return by skirmishing on their front and flanks, but had not 
time to gather in sufficient force to inflict any damage. The 
party returned to camp without loss at 11 a.m. this day, 
having ridden forty-six miles. * * * * * * * 
Very respectfully, etc.. 

Thos. C. Devin, 
Colonel Commanding Brigade. 

Capt. Geo. P. Sanford, A. A. A. G. 



490 History of the 

Headquarters Second Brigade, First Cavalry Division, 

April 28th, 1864. 
Captain : 

I have the honor to report that in pursuance of orders from 
Brigadier-genera] Torbert, commanding First Cavalry Divi- 
sion, I left camp with my brigade at 5.30 a.m., this day, and 
marched to James City. At that point I halted and detached 
one squadron, Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, with orders 
to escort signal officer to the summit of Thoroughfare JNIoun- 
tain. I marched thence to Robertson River, where I found 
the ford picketed by about thirty rebel cavalry. I ordered 
the advance of Sixth New York Cavalry, Lieutenant-colonel 
Crocker commanding, to charge and carry the ford, which 
was gallantly done, Lieutenant Cating, of brigade staff, lead- 
ing the charge and the regiment following. 

The enemy fired some thirty shots, but fortunately injured 
no one. The Sixth New York Cavalry was then ordered to 
drive the rebel pickets through ^ladison Court House, and 
ascertain the presence of any rebel force in that vicinity or 
at Wolftown. 

Very respectfully, etc., 

Thos. C. Devin, 
Colonel Commanding Brigade. 

Capt. C. McClellau, A. A. G. 

REPORT OF MAJ. WILLIAM E. BEARDSLEY, 

SIXTH NEW YORK CAVALRY, OF 

OPERATIONS AUG. 13. 

Winchester, Va., August 14, 1864. 
Colonel : 

I have the honor to report the arrival in this place with all 
of our brigade train, but about eight or ten wagons. We were 
attacked by Mosby at daylight yesterday morning in Berry- 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 491 

ville (en route for Winchester), and a disgraceful panic 
ensued, resulting in the entire destruction of the Eeserve 
Brigade's trains and a portion of ours, with battery forges, 
etc., the running off of nearly all the mules, the capture of a 
large number of prisoners, killing of five men of ours, with 
many wounded ; among the latter is Captain iMcKinney, flesh 
wound in right thigh ; he is here and doing well. After 
emptying my pistol in exchange with an officer, and being 
hard pressed, without a single man as support, I dashed off 
and checked the guard (100 days' men), but failed to get 
them back until finding Mason and one man of the old Sixth 
with a carbine, we deployed as skirmishers, and returned to 
the head of our train, where a party was applying the torch, 
and by the use of the one carbine succeeded in driving off 
the enemy, and secured the paymaster's treasure chest and 
trunk of pay rolls, which we carried on our horses to a place 
of security, when I succeeded in rallying about twelve mus- 
kets, under a sergeant, who advanced as skirmishers, when a 
single volley saved all our train but eight wagons, which were 
already burned. Lieutenant Allyn had charge of 200 head 
of cattle; all missing from the rear of the train. I sent for 
cavalry and shortly the First Ehode Island arrived, but about 
thirty minutes too late, the enemy having disappeared Avith 
their booty in the direction of Snicker's Gap, and they did 
not pursue. I sent to this place for ambulances and have 
the wounded here. General Kenly, commanding here, sent 
down his teams, and our brigade train is now here without 
teams, except nine wagons, including your wagon and the \^^'o 
regimental ones. Now, what shall we do? No guard furnished 
us, neither teams with which to proceed. I\Ia,jor Sawyer is here 
and anxious to pay. Plis money, $112,000, is also safe. I 
have no hesitation in saying that with fifty good men of the 
Sixth New York, I could have repulsed the thieves. Mr. 
Evarts now informs me that for lack of teams he w'as obliged 
to abandon all the forage and seven wagons and three battery 
forges, all in good condition, now at Berryville, which, for 
lack of guards, cannot return for them. The infantry here 



492 ^ History of the 

are only in the way. We shall remain here until we hear 
from you. I am myself still quite sick. 
I have the honor to be very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

W. E. Beardsley, 
Major Sixth New York Cavalry. 
Col. Thos. C. Devin, 

Commanding- Second Brigade, First Cavalry Division. 

EEPORT OF CAPT. GEORGE E. FARMER, SIXTH 

NEW YORK CAVALRY^ OF OPERATIONS 

OCTOBER 19. 

Headquarters Sixth New York Cavalry, 

October 23, 1864. 
Captain : 

In compliance with orders from Brevet Brigadier-general 
Devin. I have the honor to report that on the evening of the 
19tli instant, in accordance with instructions received from 
Brevet Brigadier-general Devin, the Sixth New York Caval- 
ry was formed in columns of platoons north of the bridge on 
Cedar Creek, for the purpose of charging the enemy. The 
command charged in column across the bridge, driving the 
enemy's infantry from the opposite side into the first crest of 
woods. At this moment several mounted men appeared on the 
hill on our right, one of whom waved a red flag. Llistaking 
them for the enemy, the command turned to the right, where 
we found General Custer with the First Vermont and Fifth 
New York Cavalry. The regiment was here formed on the 
left of General Custer's command, and charged at the same 
time. The charge was continued through the town of Stras- 
burg. At the onter edge of the town the advance halted, the 
men having become scattered in securing and carrying of¥ 
the plunder. The advance mentioned consisted of ten or 
fifteen men belonging to the First Vermont and Fifth and 
Sixth New York Cavalry. In charging the bridge Ave lost 
one man wounded. In charging the artillery and trains we 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 493 

lost our Adjutant (John G. Main), killed, and one man severe- 
ly wounded. The colors of the Forty-fourth Georgia (cap- 
tured by Chief Bugler Thomas M. Wells), seven pieces of 
artillery, one caisson, a number of wagons and ambulances, 
besides a number of prisoners, were brought in by this com- 
mand, all of which were turned over to Lieut W. N. Chamber- 
lin, acting quartermaster. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

George E. Farmer, 
Captain Sixth New York Cavalry Commanding. 

Capt. J. H. ^Mahnken, 

A. A. G., Second Brigade, First Cavalry Division. 

FROM GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT OF THE 
BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS, 
MAY, 1864. 

On the morning of the 9th, General Sheridan started on 
a raid against the enemy's lines of communication with Rich- 
mond. "******** 

On the 25th, -General Sheridan rejoined the Army of the 
Potomac from the raid on which he started (on the 9th) 
from Spottsylvania, having destroyed the depots at Beaver- 
dam and Ashland Stations, four trains of cars, large supplies 
of rations (those at Beaverdam being estimated at over 
$1,500,000) and many miles of railroad track; recaptured 
about 400 of our men on their way to Richmond as prisoners 
of war; met and defeated the enemy's cavalry at Yellow 
Tavern (mortally wounding Generals Stuart and Gordon) ; 
carried the first line of works around Richmond (but finding 
the second line too strong to be carried by assault), recrossed 
to the north bank of the Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge, 
under heavy fire, and moved by a detour to Haxall's Landing 
on the James River, where he communicated with General 
Butler. This raid had the effect of drawing off the whole 
of the enemy's cavalry force, making it comparatively easy 

to guard our trains. 
********** 



494 nistory of the 

Finding the enemy's position on the North Anna stronger 

than either of his previous ones, I withdrew on the night of 

the 26th to the north bank of the North Anna, and moved 

via Hanovertown to turn the enemy's position by his right. 

Generals Torbert and Merritt's divisions of cavalry, under 

Sheridan, and the Sixth Corps led the advance ; crossed the 

Pamunky River at Hanovertown, after considerable fighting, 

and on the 28th, the two divisions of cavalry had a severe 

but successful engagement with the enemy at Haw's Shop 

(driving them back to the crossing of the Totopotomoy). 
********** 

General Sheridan on the 31st reached Cold Harbor, and 
held it until relieved by the Sixth Corps and General Smith's 
command. Avhich had just arrived via White House, from 
General Butler's army. ****** 

On the 7th two divisions of cavalry, under General Sheri- 
dan, got off: on the expedition against the Virginia Central 
R. R., with instructions to Hunter, whom I hoped he would 
meet near Charlottesville, to join his forces to Sheridan 's, and 
after the work laid out for them was thoroughly done, to join 
the Army of the Potomac by the route laid doAvn in Sheri- 
dan's instructions. ****** 

On the 19th General Sheridan, on his return from his expe- 
dition against the Virginia Central R. R., arrived at the 
White House just as the enemy's cavalry was about to attack 
it, and compelled it to retire. The result of this expedition 
was that General Sheridan met the enemy's cavalry near 
Trevilians Station on the morning of the 11th of June, whom 
he attacked, and, after an obstinate contest, drove from the 
field in complete rout. He left his dead and nearly all his 
wounded in our hands, and about 400 prisoners and several 
hundred horses. On the 12th, he destroyed the railroad from 
Trevilians Station to Louisa Court House. This occupied 
until 3 p.m., when he advanced in the direction of Gordons- 
ville. He found the enemy re-enforced by infantry, behind 
well-constructed rifle-pits, about five miles from the latter 
place, and too strong to assault successfullv. On the extreme 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 495 

right, however, his reserve brigade carried the enemy's works 
twice, and was twice driven therefrom by infantry. Night 
closed the contest. Not having sufficient ammunition to con- 
tinue the engagement, and his animals being without forage 
(the country furnishing but inferior grazing), and hearing 
nothing from General Hunter, he withdrew^ his command to 
the north side of the North Anna, and commenced his return 
march, reaching White House at the time before stated. 
After breaking up the depot at that place, he moved to the 
James River, which he reached safely after heavy fighting. 
He commenced crossing on the 25th, near Fort Powhatan, 
without further molestation, and rejoined the Army of the 
Potomac. * * * * * * On the 

25th of July, it became evident that the enemy (under Early) 
was again advancing upon Maryland and Pennsylvania, and 
the Sixth Corps, then at Washington, was ordered back to the 
vicinity,, of Harper's Ferry. * * * * On 

the 2d of xVugust I ordered General Sheridan to report in 
person to ^Major-general Halleek, chief of staff, at Washington, 
with a view to his assignment to the command of all the 
forces against Early. * * * * * On the 7th 

of August the Middle Department and the Departments of 
West Virginia, Washington and Susquehanna were consti- 
tuted into the "Middle Military Division," and Major-gene- 
ral Sheridan was assigned to temporary command of the 
same. Two divisions of cavalry, commanded by Generals 
Torbert and AVilson, were sent to Sheridan from the Army of 
the Potomac. The first reached him at Harper's Ferry about 
the 11th of August. His operations during the month of 
August and fore part of September were both of an offensive 
and defensive character, resulting in many severe skirmishes, 
principally by the cavalry, in which we w^ere generally suc- 
cessful, but no general engagement took place. The two 
armies lay in such a position — the enemy on the west bank 
of Opequon Creek, covering Winchester, and our forces in 
front of Berryville — that either could bring on a battle at 
any time. Defeat to us would lay open to the enemy the 



496 History of the 

States of Maryland and Pennsylvania for long distances 
before another army could be interposed to check him. 
Under these circumstances I hesitated about allowing the 
initiative to be taken. Finally, the use of the Baltimore & 
Ohio R. R. and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which were 
both obstructed by the enemy, became so indispensably neces- 
sary to us, and the importance of relieving Pennsylvania and 
Maryland from continuously threatened invasion so great, 
that I determined the risk should be taken. But fearing to 
telegraph the order for an attack without knowing more than 
I did of General Sheridan's feelings as to what would be the 
probable result, I left City Point on the 15th of September 
to visit him at his headquarters, to decide, after conference 
with him, what should be done. I met him at Charlestown, 
and he pointed out so distinctly how each army lay, what 
he could do the moment 'he w^as authorized, and expressed 
such confidence of success that I saw there were but two 
words of instruction necessary — ' 'Go in ! " For the con- 
venience of forage the teams for supplying the army were 
kept at Harper's Ferry. I asked him if he could get out 
his teams and supplies in time to make an attack on the 
ensuing Tuesday morning. His reply was that he could 
before daylight on Monday. He was off promptly to time, 
and I may here add that the result was such that I have 
never since deemed it necessary to visit General Sheridan 
before giving him orders. Early on the morning of the 19th, 
General Sheridan attacked General Early at the crossing on 
the Opequon Creek, and after a most fierce and sang-uinary 
battle, lasting until 5 o'clock in the evening, defeated him 
Avith heavy loss, carrying his entire position from Opequon 
Creek to Winchester, capturing several thousand prisoners 
and five pieces of artillery. The enemy rallied and made a 
stand in a strong position at Fisher's Hill, where he was 
attacked and again defeated with heavy loss on the 20th 
(22d). 

Sheridan pursued him with great energy through Harrison- 
burg, Staunton and the gaps of the Blue Ridge. After strip- 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 497 

pingr the upper valley of most of the supplies and provisions 
for the rebel army, he returned to Strasbnrg and took posi- 
tion on the north side of Cedar Creek. 

Having" received considerable re-enforcements, General 
Early again returned to the valley, and on the 9th of October 
his cavalry encountered ours near Strasburg. where the rebels 
were defeated with the loss of eleven pieces of artillery and 
350 prisoners. On the night of the ISth, the enemy crossed 
the mountains which separate the branches of the Shenan- 
doah, forded the North Fork, and early on the morning of 
the 19th, under cover of the darkness and the fog, surprised 
and turned our left flank, capturing the batteries which en- 
filaded our whole line. Our troops fell back with heavy loss 
and in much confusion, but were finally rallied between Mid- 
dletown and Newtown. At this juncture General Sheridan, 
who was at Winchester when the battle commenced, arrived 
on the field, arranged his lines just in time to repulse a 
heavy attack of the enemy, and immediately assuming the 
offensive, he attacked in turn with great vigor. The enemy 
was defeated with great slaughter, and the loss of most of 
his artillery and trains, and the trophies he had captured in 
the morning. The Avreck of his aiTny escaped during the 
night, and fled in the direction of Staunton and Lynchburg. 
Pursuit was made to Mount Jackson. Thus ended this the 
enemy's last attempt to invade the North via the Shenandoah 
Valley. 

General Sheridan moved from Winchester on the 27th of 
February (1865) Avith two divisions of cavalry, nmnbering 
about 5000 each. On the 1st of March he seciu*ed the bridge, 
which the enemy attempted to destroy, across the Middle 
Fork of the Shenandoah, at Mount Crawford, and entered 
Staunton on the 2d, the enemy having retreated on Waynes- 
boro. Thence he pushed on to Waynesboro, where he found 
the enemy in force in an intrenched position, under General 
Early. Without stopping to make a reconnoissauce. an 
immediate attack was made, the position was carried, and 
32 



498 History of the 

1600 prisoners, 11 pieces of artillery, with horses and caissons 
complete, 200 wagons and teams loaded with subsistence, and 
17 battle-flags were captured. The prisoners, under an escort 
of 1500 men, were sent back to Winchester. Thence he 
marched on Charlottesville, destroying eftectually the railroad 
and bridges as he went, which place he reached on the 3d. 
Here he remained two days, destroying the railroad toward 
Richmond and Lynchburg, including the large iron bridges 
over the North and South Forks of the Rivanna River, and 
awaiting the arrival of his trains. This necessary delay 
caused him to abandon the idea of capturing Lj-nichburg. On 
the morning of the 6th, dividing his force into two columns, 
he sent one to Scottsville, whence it marched up the James 
River Canal to Newmarket, destroying every lock, and in 
many places the bank of the canal. From here a force was 
pushed out from this column to Duguidsville, to obtain pos- 
session of the bridge across the James River at that place, 
but failed. The enemy burned it on our approach. The 
enemy also burned the bridge across the river at Hardwicks- 
ville. The other column moved down the railroad toward 
Lynchburg, destroying it as far as Amherst Court House, 
sixteen miles from Lynchburg; thence across the country, 
uniting with the column at Newmarket. The river being 
very high, his pontoons would not reach across it; and the 
enemy having destroyed the bridges by which he had hoped 
to cross the river and get on the Southside Railroad about 
Farmville and destroy it to Appomattox Court-house, the 
only thing left for him was to return to Winchester or strike 
a base at the White House. Fortunately, he chose the latter. 
From Newmarket he took up his line of march, following 
the canal toward Richmond, destroying every lock upon it 
and cutting the banks wherever practicable, to a point e'i^ht 
miles east of Goochland, concentrating the whole force at 
Columbia on the 10th. Here he rested one day. and sent 
through, by scouts, information of his whereabouts and pur- 
poses, and a request for supplies to meet him at White House, 
which reached me on the night of the 12th. An infantry 



Sixth Netv York Cavalry. 499 

force was immediately sent to get possession of White House 
and supplies were foinvarded. Moving from Coluniljia in a 
direction to threaten Richmond, to near Ashland Station, he 
crossed the Annas, and after having destroyed all the bridges 
and many miles of the railroad, proceeded down the north 
bank of the Pamunky to White House, which place he readied 
on the 19th. ******* 

On the 2Stli. the following instructions were given to Gene 
ral Sheridan: 

City Point, Va., March 28th, 1865. 
Maj.-gen. p. H. Sheridan. 

General : 

The Fifth Army Corps will move hy the Vaughn road 
at 3 a.m. to-moiTow morning. The Second moves at about 
9 a.m., having but about three miles to march to reach the 
point designated for it to take on the right of the Fifth Corps, 
after the latter 's reaching Dinwiddie Court House. INIove 
your cavalry at as early an hour as you can, and without 
being confined to any particular road or roads. You may go 
out by the nearest roads in rear of the Fifth Corps, pass by 
its left, and, passing near to or through Dinwiddie, reach the 
right and rear of the enemy as soon as you can. It is not 
the intention to attack the enemy in his intrenched position, 
but to force him out, if possible. Should he come out and 
attack us, or get himself where he can be attacked, move in 
with your entire force in your own way, and with the full 
reliance that the army will engage or follow, as circumstances 
will dictate. I shall be on the field, and shall probably be 
able to communicate with you. Should I not do so, and you 
find that the enemy keeps within his main entrenched line 
you may cut loose and push for the Danville road. If you 

find it practicable, I should like you to cross the Southside 
road, between Petersburg and Burkeville, and destroy it to 
some extent. I would not advise much detention, however, 
until you reach the Danville road, which I should like you to 



500 History of the 

strike as near the Appomattox as possible. Make your 
destruction on that road as complete as possible. You can 
then pass on to the Southside road, west of Burkeville, and 
destroy that in like manner. 

After having accomplished the destruction of the two 
railroads which are now the only avenues of supply to Lee's 
army, you may return to this army, selecting your road 
farther south, or j^ou may go on into North Carolina and join 
General Sherman. Should you select the latter course, get 
the information to me as early as possible, so that I may 
send orders to meet you at Goldsboro. 

U. S. Grant, 
Lieutenant-general. 

On the morning of the 29th, the movement commenced. 
At night the cavalry was at Dinwiddie Court-house, and the 
left of our infantry line extended to the Quaker road, near 
its intersection with the Boydton plank road. The position 
of the troops, from left to right, was as follows : 

Sheridan, Warren, Humphreys, Ord, Wright, Parke. 
Everything looked favorable to the defeat of the enemy and 
the capture of Petersburg and Richmond, if the proper 
effort was made. I therefore addressed the following com- 
munication to General Sheridan, having previously informed 
him verbally not to cut loose for the raid contemplated in 
his orders until he received notice from me to do so : 

Gravelly Creek, March 29, 1865. 
Maj.-gen. p. H. Sheridan. 

General : 

Our line is now unbroken from the Appomattox to Din- 
widdie. We are all ready, however, to give up all from the 
Jerusalem plank road to Hatcher's Run, whenever the 
forces can be used advantageously. After getting into line 
south of Hatcher's, we pushed forward to find the enemy's 
position. General Griffin was attacked near where the 
Quaker road intersects the Boydton road, but repulsed it 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 501 

easily, capturiiio- about 100 men. Humphreys reached Dab- 
ney's Mills and was pushing on when last heard from. I 
now feel like ending the matter, if it is possible to do so, 
before going back. I do not want you, therefore, to cut loose 
and go after the enemy's roads at present. In the morning 
push around the enemy, if you can, and get on to his right 
rear. The movements of the enemy's cavalry may, of course, 
modify your action. We will act all together as one army 
here until it is seen what can be done with the enemy. The 
signal officer at Cobb's Hill reported at 11.30 a.m. that a 
cavalry column had passed that point from Richmond toward 
Petersburg, taking forty minutes to pass. 

U. S. Grant, 
Lieutenant-general. 

From the night of the 29th to the morning of the 31st, 
the rain fell in such torrents as to make it impossible to 
move a wheeled vehicle, except as corduroy roads were laid 
in front of them. During the 30th, Sheridan advanced from 
Dinwiddle Court-house toward Five Forks, where he found 
the enemy in force. General Warren advanced and ex- 
tended his line across the Boydton plank road to near the 
White Oak road, with a view of getting across the latter; 
but finding the enemy strong in his front and extending 
beyond his left, was directed to hold on where he was and 
fortify. General Humphreys drove the enemy from his 
front into his main line on the Hatcher, near Burgess' Mills 
Generals Ord, Wright and Parke made examinations in their 
fronts to determine the feasibility of an assault on the 
enemy's lines. The two latter reported favorably. The 
enemy confronting us as he did, at every point from Rich- 
mond to our extreme left, I conceived his lines must be 
weakly held, and could be penetrated if my estimate of his 
forces was correct. I determined, therefore, to extend our 
line no farther, but to reinforce General Sheridan with a 
corps of infantry, and thus enable him to cut loose and turn 
the enemy's right flank, and with the other corps assault the 



502 History of the 

enemy 's lines. ***** Preparations were 
at once made to relieve General Humphreys' corps to re- 
port to General Sheridan, but the condition of the roads 
prevented immediate movement. On the morning of the 
31st, General Warren reported favorably to getting pos- 
session of the White Oak road, and was directed to do so. 
To accomplish this, he moved with one division, instead of 
his whole corps, which M'as attacked by the enemy in superior 
force and driven back on the Second Division before it had 
time to form, and it, in turn, forced back upon the Third 
Division, when the enemy was checked. A division of the 
Second Corps wps immediately sent to his support, the 
enemy driven back with heavy loss, and possession of the 
White Oak road gained. Sheridan advanced, and with a 
portion of his cavalry got possession of the Five Forks, but 
the enemy, after the affair with the Fifth Corps, reinforced 
the rebel cavaliy defending that point with infantry, and 
forced him back toward Dinwiddle Court-house. Here Gen- 
eral Sheridan displayed great generalship. Instead of re- 
treating with his whole command on the main army, to tell 
the story of superior forces encountered, he deployed his 
cavalry on foot, leaving only mounted men enough to take 
charge of the horses. This compelled the enemy to deploy 
over a vast extent of wooded and broken country, and made 
his progress slow. At this juncture he dispatched to me 
what had taken place, and that he was dropping back sloAvly 
on Dinwiddle Court-house. General MacKenzie 's cavalry 
and one division of the Fifth Corps were immediately ordered 
to his assistance. Soon after, receiving a report from General 
Meade that Humphreys could hold our position on the Boyd- 
ton road, and that the other two divisions of the Fifth Corps 
could go to Sheridan, they were so ordered at once. * * * 
On the morning of the 1st of April, General Sheridan, 
reinforced by General Warren, drove the enemy back on Five 
Forks, where, late in the evening, he assaulted and carried 
his strongly fortified position, capturing all his artillery and 
between 5000 and 6000 prisoners. About the close of this 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 503 

battle, Brevet Major-general Charles Griffin relieved Major- 
general Wiarren in command of the Fifth Corps. The re- 
port of this reached me after nightfall. Some apprehensions 
filled my mind lest the enemy might desert his lines during 
the night, and by falling upon General Sheridan before 
assistance could reach him, drive him from his position and 
open the way for retreat. To guard against this, General 
Miles' division of ITnmphreys' corps was sent to reinforce 
him, and a bombardment was commenced and kept up until 
4 o'clock in the morning (April 2d), when an assault was 
ordered on the enemy's lines. ****** 

General Sheridan, being advised of the condition of affairs 
returned General ]\Iiles to his proper command. * * 

* * * The enemy south of Hatcher's Run retreated 
westward to Sutherland's Station, where they were overtaken 
by Miles' division. A severe engagement ensued and lasted 
until both his right and left flanks w^ere threatened by the 
approach of General Sheridan, who was moving from Ford's 
Station toward Petersburg, and a division sent by General 
Meade from the front of Petersburg, when he broke in the 
utmost confusion, leaving in our hands his guns and many 
prisoners. This force retreated hy the main road along the 
Appomattox River. During the night of the 2d, the enemy 
evacuated Petersburg and Richmond, and retreated toward 
Danville. 

On the morning of the 3d pursuit was commenced. Gen- 
eral Sheridan pushed for the Danville road, keeping near 
the Appomattox, followed by General iNIeade with the Second 
and Sixth Corps, while General Orel moved for Burkeville 
along the Southside road; the Ninth Corps stretched along 
that road behind him. On the 4th General Sheridan struck 
the Danville road near Jetersville, where he learned that Lee 
was at Amelia Court-house. He immediately intrenched 
himself and aw^aited the arrival of General ]\Ieade, who 
reached there the next day. ****** 

On the morning of the 6th, it was found that General Lee 
Avas moving west of Jetersville toward Danville. General 



504 History of the 

Sheridan moved with his cavalry (the Fifth Corps having 
been returned to General Meade on his reaching Jetersville) 
to strike his flank, followed by the Sixth Corps, while the 
Second and Fifth pressed hard after, forcing him to abandon 
several hundred wagons and several pieces of artillery. 
***** In the afternoon General Sheridan 
struck the enemy south of Sailor's Creek, captured sixteen 
pieces of artillery and about 400 wagons, and detained him 
until the Sixth Corps got up, when a general attack of in- 
fantry and cavalrj' was made, which resulted in the capture 
of 6000 or 7000 prisoners, among whom w^ere many general 
officers. ***** Qq ^j^g morning of the 
7th the pursuit was renewed, the cavalry, except one division, 
and the Fifth Corps moving by Prince Edward Court-house : 
the Sixth Corps and one division of cavalry on Farmville, 
and the Second Corps by the High Bridge road. It was 
soon found that the enemy had crossed to the north side of 
the Appomattox; but so close was the pursuit that the 
Second Corps got possession of the common bridge at High 
Bridge before the enemy could destroy it, and immediately 
crossed over. The Sixth Corps and a division of cavalry 
crossed at Farmville to its support. ***** 

Early on the morning of the 8th the pursuit was resumed. 
General Meade followed north of the Appomattox, and Gen- 
eral Sheridan with all the cavalr}^ pushed straight for Ap- 
pomattox Station, followed by General Ord's command and 
the Fifth Corps. During the day General Meade's advance 
had considerable fighting with the enemy's rear guard, but 
was unable to bring on a general engagement. Late in the 
evening General Sheridan struck the railroad at Appomattox 
Station, drove the enemy from there, and captured twenty- 
five pieces of artillery, a hospital train and four trains of 
cars loaded with supplies for Lee's army. * * * * 

On the morning of the 9th, General Ord's command and 
the Fifth Corps reached Appomattox Station just as the 
enemy was making a desperate effort to break through our 
cavalry. The infantrv was at once thrown in. Soon after, a 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 505 

white flap: was received, requesting a suspension of hostilities 
pending' negotiations for a surrender. * * * * 
The interview was held at Appomattox Court-house, the 
result of which is set forth in the following- correspondence : 

Appomattox Court House, Va., 

April 9th, 1865. 
Gen. R. E. Lee: 

General : 

In accordance with the substance of my letter to you of 
the 8th instant, I propose to receive the surrender of the 
Army of Northern Virginia on the following terms, to wit : 
Rolls of all the oi^cers and men to be made in duplicate, one 
copy to be given to an officer to be designated by me, the 
other to be retained by such officer or officers as you may 
designate. The officers to give their individual paroles not 
to take up arms against the Government of the United States 
until properly exchanged; and each company or regimental 
commander sign a like parole for the men of their commands. 
The arms, artillerj'- and public property to be parked and 
stacked, and turned over to the officers appointed by me to 
receive them. This will not embrace the side-arms of the 
officers, or their private horses or baggage. This done, each 
officer and man will be allowed to return to his home, not to 
be disturbed by United States authority so long as he ob- 
serves his parole and the laws in force where he may reside. 

U. S. Grant, 
Lieutenant-general. 

Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia, 

April 9th, 1865. 
Lieut.-gen. U. S. Grant: 
General : 

I received your letter of this date containing the terms of 
surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia as proposed by 
you. As they are substantially the same as those expressed 
in your letter of the 8th instant, they are accepted. I will 



506 History of the 

proceed to designate the proper officers to carry the stipula- 
tions into effect. 

R. E. Lee, 
General. 

The command of Major-general Gibbon, the Fifth Army 
Corps, under Griffin, and MacKenzie's cavalrj' -were des- 
ignated to remain at Appomattox Conrt-house until the 
paroling of the surrendered army was completed, and to 
take charge of the public property. The remainder of the 

army immediately returned to the \ncinity of Burkeville. 
********** 

Let them hope for perpetual peace and harmony with that 
enemy whose manhood, however mistaken the cause, drew 
forth such herculean deeds of valor. 

(Signed) U. S. Grant, 

Lieutenant-general. 
Hon. E. M. Stanton, 
Secretary of "War. 

Headquarters Second Brigade, First Cavalry Division, 

July 1st, 1864. 
Captain : 

I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
operations of this brigade from May 4th to 26th inclusive. 

On the afternoon of ]\Iay 4th. the brigade marched from 
Culpeper and encamped near Shepardstown on the road to 
Richards' Ford. 

May 5th crossed the Rapidan at Ely's Ford and advanced 
to Chancellorsville. 

On the morning of ]May 6th. I was ordered to advance with 
the brigade and Heaton's battery to the Brock road and 
take up a position on the right of General Custer, and to 
endeavor to communicate with and watch the left of our 
infantry line. 

If I found General Custer engaged, I was ordered to sup- 
port him. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 507 

On reaching the position, I found General Custer briskly 
engaged with the enemy, who had also opened a battery of 
three guns posted in a field in his front. 

I formed the brigade in support and ordered Lieutenant 
Heaton to place his battery in position behind the crest of 
the hill in rear of Custer's line and then to run up his guns 
by hand to the crest, which was covered with dwarf pine. 
By this means the guns were trained and ready to open 
before the enemy was aware of their presence. The giuis 
were at once opened and in a few minutes the rebel battery 
was driven from the ground, with a loss of captain, lieuten- 
ant, several men and eight horses killed. The enemy made 
no further demonstration at this point during the day. I 
succeeded in connecting the Seventeenth Pennsylvania Caval- 
ry with the left of the Second Corps and Sixth New York 
Cavalrv', with right of General Gregg, near Todd's Tavern. 
About 5 p.m. I was ordered to retire to the Furnace, where 
the brigade encamped. 

On the morning of ^Nlay 7th I was ordered to march to the 
point occupied the day previous, General Custer following. 

We met the enemy on the road, drove in his advance and 
succeeded in establishing the line on the right, but as General 
Gregg had not yet come up on the left, the enemy obstinately 
held the road to Todd's Tavern. 

A brisk skirmish ensued on that road, part of Sixth New 
York charging down the road, but was repulsed with some 
loss, the enemy being dismounted and behind barricades. 

The advance of General Gregg on the left soon after com- 
pelled the rebels to retire, and I was ordered to advance to 
Todd's Tavern, where the brigade was massed. Brigadier- 
general Merritt having assumed command of the division, 
about 4 p.m. I was ordered to support the reserve brigade, 
then engaged with the enemy on the road to Spottsylvania 
Court-house. 

On reaching the front, I was informed by Colonel Gibbs 
that his ammiuiition was exhausted, and upon his request, I 
successively dismounted Sixth and Ninth New York and 



508 History of the 

Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and relieved all of the 
reserve brigade that my front would cover. 

The men went in with a will and we drove the enemy 
through the woods until dark, when I fell back slightly, and 
took up a position at the cross-roads, holding well on the 
flanks. 

The brigade having advanced so far that no connection 
could be made with our troops on the right, I was ordered to 
fall back to the edge of the wood and encamp. 

On the morning of IMay 8th, I was ordered to march in 
rear of the reserve brigade on the road to Spottsylvania Court- 
house. The enemy was met near the point to which we had 
driven them the night previous, and a sharp fight ensued. I 
was ordered to support, and dismounting the Ninth New 
York and Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, sent them in on 
the right and left of the reserve brigade. The enemy was 
driven back to a strong position barricaded along his whole 
front, which he succeeded in holding until the cavalry was 
relieved by the Fifth Corps, when the brigade was ordered to 
retire. 

The casualties in the brigade during the two days' fighting 
around Todd's Tavern summed up as follows: seven men 
killed, three officers and forty-three men wounded and four 
men missing, making a total of three officers and fifty-four 
men. 

The brigade was then ordered to proceed to Silvers on the 
plank road, near which point it encamped. 

The Raid. 

The division under command of Brigadier-general Merritt 
left camp at daybreak on the morning of May 9th. I was 
ordered to follow in rear of Custer's brigade, and after cross- 
ing the Ny, Po and IMatta Rivers, reached Childsburg, where 
the division halted to feed. The march was resumed, and 
fording the North Anna, the brigade reached a point near 
Beaverdam Station, on the Virginia Central Railroad, after 
dark. 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 509 

At this point the Sixth New York and Seventeenth Penn- 
sylvania were detached to destroy the railroad at the station, 
after which the brigade encamped. 

May 10th the brigade marched in rear of the division to 
Negro Foot, where a halt was made. After feeding animals 
the march was resnmed, the brigade crossing Ground Squirrel 
Bridge, on the South Anna, after dark. The Seventeenth 
Pennsylvania was left on the north side to hold the bridge. 
The Ninth and Sixth New York encamped on the south side. 

May 11th the brigade, having first burned the bridge, 
marched in rear of the reserve brigade and reached Allen's 
Station on Fredericksburg Railroad at 11 a.m. Parties were 
immediately detached to destroy the railroad as far as Hun- 
garv^ Station. 

Battle at Yellow Tavern. 

The enemy showing himself in strong force on left and 
front, I was ordered to advance to the front and drive him 
from the Brook turnpike. I moved to Yellow Tavern, where 
I found part of the reserve brigade. Advancing the Seven- 
teenth Pennsylvania through the woods on the right, I swung 
around on the turnpike, driving the enemy from and seizing 
the crossroads leading to Ashland and Hanover C. H., the 
point being six miles from Richmond. 

I was then ordered to make a reconnoissance toward Rich- 
mond, at least as far as Brook Bridge. 

The Sixth New York was ordered to advance, and the two 
leading squadrons to charge on the rebel cavalry about five 
hundred yards in front. The enemy fled, closely pursued by 
the Sixth for over two miles, across the bridge and into the 
outer works of Richmond. Our men were here checked until 
three squadrons dismounted and drove the rebels from the 
works, the mounted men chasing them beyond Brook Church 
and nearly to the inner works. 

The bells could be heard ringing, locomotives whistling, and 
general alarm and bustling seemed to prevail in Richmond. 



510 History of the 

I reported and was ordered to hold my advanced position, 
as well as the crossroads, three miles in the rear. I had but 
two regiments (the Ninth New York having been sent to the 
left to support the reserve brigade) and one section of Wil- 
liston's battery. I detached two squadrons of Seventeenth 
Pennsylvania to a road between Brook Bridge and my posi- 
tion, to cover the rear of the Sixth New York, and with the 
other four squadrons and section of battery, held the Ash- 
land fork, opening upon the enemy's flank, while Gener>il 
Custer charged him in front. 

In the meantime the Ninth New York (which had been 
detached to my left to support the right of the reserve bri- 
gade) charged and routed the Fifth Virginia Cavalry, almost 
annihilating that regiment, killing their Colonel (Pate) and 
a large number of officers and men, and capturing eight offi- 
cers and eighty-four enlisted men, for whom they have re- 
iceipts, although the regiment claims to have captured ten 
officers and one hundred and fifteen men. Both regiments 
were dismounted. 

At dark I was ordered to send a recounoissanee to the Me- 
chanicsville turnpike. I ordered Major Hall of the Six;th 
New York on this duty, with two squadrons. The recounois- 
sanee was successfully made as far as Meadow's Bridge, cap- 
turing an orderly with dispatches from General Bragg. 

At midnight I was ordered to march in advance of the 
division and in rear of General Wilson. Passed through the 
outer works of Richmond and about daybreak reached the 
vicinity of Meadow Bridge. Found General Wilson engag- 
ing the enemy on the right. 

I was here ordered to send my pioneers to repair the Mead- 
ow Bridges, which the enemy was endeavoring to destroy. 
Lieutenant Gating with eight pioneers drove the party from 
the bridges and commenced work, but it was soon found that 
it would require a large force to repair, and also to keep off 
the enemy. Working detachments were sent down, and tw'O 
regiments of First Brigade, armed with Spencer rifles, were 
sent in to keep the enemy in check. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 511 

After some hours' labor, the bridges were repaired under 
the direction of General Custer, and I was ordered to follow 
the First Brigade across the bridge. 

The enemy having erected strong works on the left of the 
railroad covering the bridges and road, anci obstinately refus- 
ing to leave them, I was ordered to support General Custer 
with two regiments. I dismounted and advanced the Ninth 
New York and Seventeenth Pennsylvania on the left of the 
railroad. Those two gallant regiments, after coolly deploy- 
ing in the open field under the enemy's fire, charged full upon 
his rifle-pits, utterly routing him and captuinng a number of 
prisoners in the works, besides thirty of the enemy's wounded 
found in and around the works who could not be taken off. 
The movement cost us some gallant officers and men. Lieuten- 
ant Shultz, Seventeenth Pennsylvania, was killed, and Major 
Corrigan, Ninth New York, lost a leg and has since died of 
his wounds. 

The enemy was pursued for a mile, but having no mounted 
men over the bridges, we were unable to reach him. 

After the brigade was mounted and formed, I was ordered 
to march with the division to Gaines Mill. 

May 13th marched with the division from Gaines Mill to 
a point near Bottom's Bridge and encamped. 

May 14th crossed the Chickahominy at Bottom's Bridge 
and marched to INIalvern Hill. 

IMay 17th I received orders to advance with my own and 
reserve brigade to the crossroads near Newmarket and 
threaten Richmond in that direction, but not engage the 
enemy in force. I placed the reserve brigade in position 
near NewTnarket, and with the Second Brigade advanced to 
Camp Holly. From that point I ordered one regiment to 
proceed on the Varina road in the direction of Chapin Bluff. 

The regiment (Ninth New York) returned at night, hav- 
ing met a part of Forty-second Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, 
whom they routed, capturing one officer and two men. I 
returned to camp at Malvern Hill and the same night marched 



512 History of the 

to Jones' Bridge, on the Chickahominy, arriving at 9 a.m. 
on the 18th. 

May 18th crossed the Chickahominy and marched to Bal- 
timore Store and encamped. 

May 21st marched to White House and encamped. 

May 22d crossed the Pamunky at night and encamped. 

May 23d marched by King William C. H. to the Matta- 
pony, opposite Dunkirk, at which point I was ordered to 
bridge the river if possible. This I effected by means of 
scows or ferry-boats, lashed together, anchored and covered 
with timber procured by tearing down the storehouses at 
the ferry. The bridge was amply sufficient to cross the corps. 
The Sixth New York was sent across, mounted, and held 
the roads in front. 

May 24th the brigade marched with the division by Man- 
gohick Church to Reedy Swamp, where it encamped. Horses 
and men suffered terribly with heat and dust. I had the 
horses led for five miles and lost but few. 

May 25th marched in rear of the division by Chesterfield 
Station to Polecat Creek, where it encamped near the trains. 

Although diminished in numbers by the absence of one 
regiment (Fourth New York Cavalry) and battery, the bri- 
gade sustained its M^ell-earned repfiitation throughout this 
short and sharp campaign. The regimental commanders. 
Colonel Sackett, Ninth New York; Lieutenant-colonel Ander- 
son, Seventeenth Pennsylvania, and Lieutenant-colonel Crock- 
er, Sixth New York, were conspicuous at all times for their 
gallantry and enterprise, and were well supported by their 
officers and men. 

To the brigade staff, Surgeon Clarke, Captains I\Iahnken, 
Wright and W^hite, and Lieutenants Cating and Parker, act- 
ing aides, I am indebted for valuable service. 

Very respectfully your obedient servant, 
(Signed) Thos. C. Devin, 

Colonel Commanding. 
To Capt. A. E. Dana, 

A. A. G., First Cavalry Division. 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 513 

Headquarters Second Brigade, First Cavalry Division. 

July 4th, 1864. 
Captain : 

I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
operations of this brigade since j\Iay 26, 1864 : 

The brigade left camp near Polecat Creek in advance of 
the division on the morning of ]\Iay 26th, and marched to 
]\Iangohick Church, where the division halted for some hours. 

At 10 p.m. I marched in rear of the division, and one hour 
before daybreak reached the Pamunky opposite Hanovertown. 

On the morning of jNIay 27th, crossed the pontoon bridge, 
in rear of the division, and went into position on the hill 
to the right and front of Hanovertown. 

The Seventeenth Pennsylvania was ordered to the right to 
support a regiment of First Brigade, then advancing upon 
and skirmishing with the enemy. One section of Heaton's 
battery was also placed in position upon the right, the other 
section covering the approach from Hanover C. H. 

One squadron, Ninth New York, was ordered to the ex- 
treme right to cover the flank of the Seventeenth Pennsyl- 
vania. 

The enemy showing a disposition to retire, the Seventeenth 
Pennsylvania w^as ordered to swing around on its left flank, 
through the w^oods, and advance toward the road leading to 
Hanover C. H. Lieutenant-colonel Anderson successfully 
accomplished the movement as directed, capturing four offi- 
cers and thirty-six men. 

At this point the line was connected with the right of 
First Brigade. 

The enemy having withdrawn into the woods, covering the 
bridge across Crump's Creek, I ordered part of the squadron 
of Ninth New York to charge down the road and develop 
his position. The charge was gallantly led by Captain 
Wright, brigade inspector. The rebel pickets were met at the 
bridge, driven across the creek and over the opposite hill, 
where nearly a brigade of South Carolina Cavalry was found 
in the road attempting to get into position. AYithout hesita- 
33 



514 History of the 

tion the little band cliarg'ed them, and at one time had pris- 
oners donble their own number. The bridge having been 
partly destroyed, and the party on retiring- being- hotly 
pressed, they succeeded in bringing off but three officers and 
eighteen men. 

Ascertaining that the ground beyond was open, I ordered 
the Seventeenth Pennsylvania to mount and prepare to press 
the enemy, but as the regiment was about to advance, I was 
ordered to hold the bridge and line of the creek. The Ninth 
New York was placed in position on the line indicated, and 
the Seventeenth Pennsylvania and Sixth New York in line 
in the field to the right of the road, with Heaton's battery 
in position. The brigade soon after went into camp. The 
day's operations summed up a loss of one killed and four 
wounded. 

The enemy having retired from the vicinity of the creek 
the morning of May 28th, Lieutenant-colonel Anderson, 
Seventeenth Pennsylvania, was ordered to advance and feel 
his position on the hills one and a half miles in front. 

After skirmishing for an hour, the enemy was found 
strongly posted on the hill and w^ooded declivity in its front. 

As it was not intended to force an engagement, Lieutenant- 
colonel Anderson was ordered to retire, and a division of 
Sixth Corps having relieved the brigade, I was ordered to 
march to Hall's Shop. 

Arriving- at this point, the brigade was massed in brigade 
line of regiments in squadron column, in rear of the Second 
Division, then engaged with the enemy. 

At dark I was ordered to march to Hanovertown, where the 
brigade encamped for the night. 

May 29th the brigade crossed Totopotomoy Creek and ad- 
vanced to a position on the Old Church road, where it en- 
camped, picketing to Old Church, and connecting ^nth 
Second Division. 

May 30th I advanced to a position on right and rear of 
Lipscomb's Tavern, where the brigade encamped. I was 
here ordered to communicate with General Warren's left, 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 515 

wliieli was advancing' toward Grove Church, and to picket 
and hold Cold Harbor road. After a personal reconnois- 
sance on the latter road, I posted the reserve on the strong- 
position at JNIattadequin River, with pickets advanced to the 
road forks, three-quarters of a mile in front. My orders 
were that, if attacked, the reserve should hold the river in 
any event until support arrived. 

Battle of ]\Iattadequin Creek. 

About one hour after being posted, the advanced pickets 
were attacked by a battalion of cavalry, and driven across 
the run, at which point the enemy was checked. I immedi- 
ately ordered IMajor Durland, Seventeenth Pennsylvania, with 
the other two squadrons (three squadrons being detached on 
the Shady Grove Road) to support his pickets and re-estab- 
lish them. This was effected in a short time, the enemy 
retiring upon being charged, and the line was re-established. 

About one hour after the first attack, it Avas again renewed 
in force. Ordering the Sixth and Ninth New York to sad- 
dle up and follow, I proceeded to the front and found the 
three squadrons of Seventeenth Pennsylvania briskly eng'aged 
with the enemy, who Avas endeavoring to force a passage 
across the run. I immediately dismounted and deployed 
the Sixth New York on the right of the Seventeenth Pennsyl- 
vania, and the Ninth New York on the left. There was but 
little time for reconnoitring the ground (which on the flanks 
Avas heavily wooded), as the enemy was pressing both flanks 
of the Seventeenth Pennsylvania, but I judged it to average 
the same as that in my front, and believing that the enemy's 
force Avas not superior to my own, I intended as soon as his 
front was fully developed to turn his left with the Sixth New 
York and endeavor to secure some prisoners and horses. 

At this time the General commanding division came upon 
the ground and assumed command. The enemy began to show 
a much heavier force, and successively the reserve brigade 
and part of the First Brigade Avere sent in and became warm- 
Iv engaged. 



516 History of the 

The ammnuition .of the Seventeenth Pennsylvania having 
become exhausted, they were temporarily relieved, the Second 
E/egTLilars taking up their position. 

The Sixth New York forced a passage across the ravine 
and rim in their front, and pressed the enemy's left success- 
fully. The Ninth New York on the left, after crossing two 
very deep ravines, found themselves on the north bank of the 
run with an abrupt descent and ascent of nearly forty feet 
on each bank, and the enemy strongly barricaded on the edge 
of the woods, facing the south bank, with a clearing of fifteen 
rods in his front. After losing some valuable men, Colonel 
Sackett w^as forced to abandon the attempt to cross in the 
face of the enemy, imtil the gallant charge of two regiments 
of First Brigade in the centre relieved him by flanking the 
left of the rebel position, when he immediately crossed the 
run and pressed the enemy sharply, capturing a number of 
prisoners. 

At this time, a general advance being ordered, I advanced to 
the forks and thence to the intersection of Bottom's Bridge 
road with that to White House, at which point the brigade 
encamped for the night. 

On the afternoon of jMay 31st, I received the following- 
order : 

Headquarters First Cavalry Division, 

May 31st, 1864. 
Colonel Devin, 

Commanding Second Brigade, First Division C. C. 
Colonel : 

There will be an advance of the division on Cold Harbor 
this afternoon. You will be in the saddle and start promptly 
at 4 p.m. on the road, where your scouts went this morning. 
From all information I can gain, you can go within about 
one and a half miles of Cold Harbor without meeting their 
pickets. Keep a few men ahead, and when they meet the 
enemy halt and let your command close up. When you hear 
that I am well engaged on the right, where General Merritt 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 517 

will advance, I want yon to make a bold pnsli for Cold Har- 
bor. It is possible yon may have to dismonnt a regiment to 
attract the enemy, bnt you must send one or two sabre regi- 
ments in among their led horses. General Custer will send 
one regiment across country from his present position, start- 
ing at 4 p.m. Caution your men of this, and don't fire on 
them if they get into Cold Harbor in advance, or while march- 
ing up there. ■ Have no bugle calls while getting ready. En- 
deavor to communicate with me across country. I will be 
on the road where General JNIerritt is. 

Yours, etc., 
(Signed) A. T. A. Torbert, 

B. G. v.. 
Commanding First Cavalry Division. 

The roads by which I was directed to reach Cold Harbor, 
formed tico sides of a quadrangle, on one side of which Gen- 
eral Merritt was to advance. 

I started at the hour named, with one squadron (Han- 
ley's) of Ninth New York in advance. Wlien within two 
miles of Cold Harbor a line of pickets was discovered across 
the road and faced toward us, I halted and closed the com- 
mand, as per order, and advancing to reconnoitre, found them 
to be the pickets of Fifth I\Iichigan Cavalry. I immediately 
ordered the commanding officer to take his regiment off the 
road and to the right, and again advanced. One mile in 
advance of this point. I was fired upon by the enemy's pick- 
ets, and, charging upon him, was stopped by a barricade with 
dense thicket on each side. At this time, skirmishing was 
first heard on our right, apparently from General iNIerritt's 
advance. 

I immediately dismounted the Seventeenth Pennsylvania 
(as I wished to keep the Ninth New York mounted for a 
charge) and advanced through the woods, at the same time 
removing the barricade and ordering the Ninth New York 
to follow mounted. The Seventeenth Pennsylvania became 



518 . History of the 

almost immediately heavily engaged, losing a number of men. 
We had by this time almost reached Cold Harbor, but finding 
another strong barricade in my front, and the pressure on 
the left of Seventeenth Pennsylvania becoming very heavy, 
I was forced to dismount the Ninth New York to support 
them. I now had but one regiment left (Sixth New York) 
to guard my led horses and my left rear, but I determined, 
if opportunity served, to send that in mounted. 

On emerging from the woods near Cold Harbor, I found 
.myself in the direct front of the enemy's barricades, which 
extended one-third of a mile to my left, from which they 
were then maintaining a very heavy fire on the Seventeenth 
Pennsylvania, then charging on the crossroads. The Ninth 
N^w York at this time advancing on the left and rear of 
Seventeenth Pennsylvania, the enemy left his position behind 
the barricade and retired in the direction of Gaines Hill. 

There was no opportunity to use the sabre, the nature of 
the country effectually preventing a mounted command from 
reaching the right flank of the enemy's position, and it was 
utterly impossible to force a passage up the road until the 
barricades had been carried and removed and the enemy 
driven from the woods on the left. Not a moment's time was 
lost after reaching the first barricade until the brigade fought 
its way into Cold Harbor. The Seventeenth Pennsylvania 
alone lost nearly thirty men in half an hour. 

The brigade was then ordered to take up a position, dis- 
mounted, on General Custer's left, and erect barricades, "\vith 
a view of maintaining the important position from which the 
enemy had been driven by the division. 

About midnight the brigade was ordered to retire to the 
position it had occupied in the morning. 

On reaching the Bottom's Bridge road, I was ordered to 
halt and await orders. 

At 3 a.m. I Avas ordered to return and reoccupy my former 
position at Cold Harbor. This I effected at daylight and 
again connected with General Custer. During the attack on 
the position, which followed, my command was not engaged, 



, Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 519 

with the exception of the advanced skirmishers. About noon 
the brigade Avas relieved and marched in rear of the division 
to Prospect Church, where it encamped for the night. 

June 2d the Seventeenth Pennsylvania was ordered to 
proceed in the direction of Cold Harbor and endeavor to 
find some road leading to the left of our position of the day 
previous, and to communicate with the left of our infantry 
line. Lieutenant-colonel Anderson, commanding the regi- 
ment, found it impossible to reach the left, except by the 
direct approach to Cold Harbor, and after making a detour 
of some miles, found himself at Sumner's Bridge, where 
General C4regg was engaging the enemy. 

Part of the Sixth New York under ^Major Hall was sent 
in toward Dispatch Station, where they met two squadrons 
of rebel cavalry, Avhich they drove toward Bottom's Bridge. 
About noon the brigade advanced to the bridge, the advance 
g-uard under Captain Aitken driving a strong party of the 
enemy's cavalry across the bridge. 

The Sixth New York was ordered to the vicinity of the 
bridge, when the enemy unmasked a gun upon the south 
bank, and opened upon the led horses with solid shot, killing 
four horses and taking off the leg of one man. 

The brigade went into camp on the left of the bridge, which 
the Sixth New York continued to hold, although much an- 
noyed by the enemy's sharpshooters. Lieutenant Cortelyou 
was severely wounded while relieving his skirmishers. 

June 4th the brigade marched to Old Church, at which 
point Heaton's battery and the Fourth New York Cavalry, 
with some remounted men of other regiments, joined the 
brigade. 

June 5th the brigade marched to Studley near Hall's Shop, 
and encamped for the night. 

June 6th the eoinmand marched by Hanovertown to New- 
castle Ferry, and w^ent into camp. 

June 7th the brigade crossed the Pamunky at Newcastle 
Ferry, on pontoons, and marched in rear of the division to 



520 History of the 

a point two miles north of Aylett's, Avhere it encamped for 
the night. 

June 8th marched by Polecat Station to a point near 
Athens, where the brigade encamped. 

June 9th marched by Childsburg to the vicinity of New- 
market, where the brigade encamped. 

June 10th marched to Good Hope Church, at which point 
the Seventeenth Pennsylvania was ordered to proceed to a 
point on the right flank where a rebel hospital Avas said to 
be located, marched from Good Hope Church to Woodf oik's 
Farm, five miles from Trevilians Station, where the brigade 
encamped. 

June 11th the pickets of the brigade were attacked at 
daylight, but the enemy (a small party) was driven off. 
Shortl}^ after, the reserve brigade advanced toward Trevil- 
ians and my command was ordered to follow. 

Fight at Trevilians Station. 

The reserve brigade soon became heavily engaged, and I 
was ordered to send one regiment in support. The Ninth 
New York was deployed and advanced on the right of the 
main road, connecting on its right with First New York 
Dragoons, and on the left with a small detaclunent (thirty 
men) of Second Regulars. I was now ordered to send in 
the Fourth New York on the left of General Merritt's line. 
The regiment was deployed, connecting on the right with 
First Regulars and on the left with Colonel Gregg's brigade. 
The First Regulars being soon after withdrawn from the 
left, the Fourth New York was ordered to move to the right 
and connect Avith the road. Beaton's battery having been 
sent to the extreme left, three squadrons of the Sixth New 
York Avere ordered to support it. One squadron of the Sixth 
NeAv York had been sent to communicate Avith General Custer. 
and one squadron in rear of the division train. 

The two regiments of my brigade (Fourth and Ninth Ncav 
York) being noAV formed on each side of the road, I assumed 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 521 

command at that point and advanced with the line. General 
Torbert, commanding division, came up immediately after 
and advanced with the skirmishers. On emerging from the 
woods, the enemy was found occupying, with his centre, a 
house and orchard on a ridge three-quarters of a mile in 
front of Trevilians. 

I ordered the advance to be sounded, and the Ninth New 
York to charge and occupy the house and orchard. This they 
accomplished with a cheer, taking a number of prisoners. 
General Torbert immediately ordered the line to be formed 
on the crest until the alignmeut could be rectified, the enemy 
still maintaining a heaw fire. 

In charging the orchard, the Ninth New York had di- 
verged to the right, and the Fourth New York continuing to 
keep the left of the road, a regiment of Gregg's brigade had 
crossed the rear of the Fourth New York and came out on the 
right. I immediately formed the regiment on the crest on 
left of the Ninth New York. 

An advance w^as again ordered, and sending for Heaton's 
battery and the Sixth New York, I directed Lieutenant 
Parker of my staff to re-establish the connection between the 
Fourth and Ninth New York and to press on to the station, 
which was successfully accomplished, the station occupied, 
and a number of prisoners captured from the Fifth South 
Carolina, together with a hospital wagon loaded wath stores, 
and one battle flag. I was then ordered to bring up the 
battery and the Sixth New^ York. 

General ]\Ierritt having now advanced his line upon the 
right, I placed Heaton's batter}- in position in rear of his 
right, the approach to my position on the left being difficult 
and the position of the battery on the right being an excel- 
lent one. Soon after, the enemy pressed and attempted to 
drive in the skirmishers of the reserve brigade, when I 
ordered the battery to open and the rebels were soon driven 
to the woods. At a later hour, they again advanced in 
heavier force on the same point, but again the well-directed 
fire of the battery drove the enemy to shelter, and he desisted 



522 History of the 

from further efforts. General Torbert then ordered the bat- 
tery to take np a position one hundred and fifty yards in 
advance of the previous one, the line at the same time being 
advanced. About 6 p.m. the Fourth New York and First 
New York Dragoons were ordered to advance and feel the 
position in front. I advanced with the Fourth New York 
and ascertained that the enemy had retired beyond the forks 
of the Gordonsville and Charlottesville roads. 

I was ordered by General Torbert to hold the forks, which 
I did with the Sixth New York, the other regiments of the 
brigade remaining in position at the station, and connecting 
on left with General Custer's and on the right with General 
Merritt's brigades. 

The Seventeenth Pennsylvania had come in during the day 
after a hard march of twenty miles on the right, Lieutenant- 
colonel Anderson having paroled some sixty prisoners and 
brought in one hundred and thirty. 

The Fourth and Ninth New York captured during the 
engagement one hundred and thirty-six prisoners. 

Our losses were severe. Colonel Sackett, Ninth New York, 
Avas mortally wounded while gallantly leading his regiment 
into action, and several other officers and many brave men 
fell before the station was carried. 

During the afternoon details were made from Fourth and 
Ninth New York and the railroad at the station was thor- 
oughly torn up. 

The next morning, June 12th, the work of destroying and 
burning the railroad station, water tank, etc., was renewed 
and continued until afternoon. The brigade was then or- 
dered to advance and mass in rear of Custer's brigade, which 
was moving upon the enemy's position beyond the road forks. 
I was at the same time ordered to hold the road to INIum- 
ford's Bridge across South Anna. The enemy shortly after 
made a demonstration on that road, but the Ninth New York 
being sent out in support of the pickets, the rebels were 
checked and driven back. 

I was then ordered to send one regiment, dismounted, to 



Sixth Netv York Cavalry. 523 

the right of the railroad and two mounted regiments to report 
to General Merritt. I forthwith sent the regiments as or- 
dered, the Seventeenth Pennsylvania, with Lieutenant Gating 
of the brigade staff, and the Fourth and Sixth New York, 
with Lieutenant Goldsmith of the division staff. I remained 
with the Ninth New York and battery near the position first 
taken up. 

As I was not personally engaged in the action which fol- 
lowed, I would respectfully refer to annexed reports of regi- 
mental commanders for details of the position assigned to 
and part taken by their regiments. 

At dark, hearing that the command was falling back, I 
proceeded to the front, and meeting Golonel Cesnola, Fourth 
New York, who was endeavoring to reform his command, I 
ordered him to form at the road forks. I sent Captain 
Wright to bring out the Sixth New York, and Lieutenant 
Gating to retire the Seventeenth Pennsylvania. 

The latter regiment had been obliged to shift position to 
the right, and it was 10.30 p.m. before the regiment could be 
found and retired. The loss in the three regiments engaged 
was severe. 

At midnight the brigade was ordered to march wdtli the 
division, and crossing the North Anna and North Fork, went 
into camp near Troyman's Store, on the afternoon of June 
13th. 

June 14th the brigade marched in rear of the division to 
Shady Grove Church, near which point it encamped. 

June 15th marched by Spottsylvania C. H. to Stannard's 
IMarch and encamped. 

June 16th marched by Bowling Green to a point near Mat- 
tacoy bridge and encamped. 

June ITtli marched by Ne^vtown Chapel Bridge and 
Clarksville to a point near Walkertown and encamped. 

June 18th marched by Walkertown to King and Queen 
C. H. and encamped. 

June 19th marched by Walkertown and Clarksville to 
Dunkirk. Two squadrons of Sixth New York were ordered 



524 History of the 

to swim their horses over the Mattapony and hold the oppo- 
site front until the pontoon should be laid. Heaton's battery 
was placed in position on the hill to the left covering the 
crossing. The remainder of the brigade went into camp. 

June 20th crossed the pontoon bridge in rear of the divi- 
sion, the Fourth New York being ordered to remain at Dun- 
kirk as guard to the bridge and train. Marched by King 
William C. H. and Lanesville to camp near the White House 
bridge. 

June 21st crossed the railroad bridge and massed in the 
field beyond. I was here ordered to march to St. Peter's 
Church. 

With the three regiments of the brigade, and the rifle 
section of Heaton's battery, I advanced up the hill on the 
road to St. Peter's Church. Almost immediately after enter- 
ing the woods, I met the enemy's advance, and after a brisk 
skirmish, drove them nearly a mile, until I came in sight 
of the church, about six hundred yards on my left front. 

On the "direct" and "right" front, the road continued 
through thick woods. 

At this point the enemy made a determined stand, and I 
was obliged to dismount the Ninth New York, the ammimi- 
tion of part of Seventeenth Pennsylvania becoming ex- 
hausted. 

The enemy's line could be felt for one half mile to the 
right of the road, and could be seen for half a mile to the 
left of the church. The groiuid on the left was open, with 
deep ravines between my position and the church. Hea^y 
columns of dust could be seen passing from extreme left to 
right. A squadron of Sixth New York, mounted, was dis- 
posed to watch the left flank, when the enemy's dismounted 
skirmishers advanced dowoi the hill and opened a hot fire 
upon them, driving them back. I was obliged to dismount 
the other squadron of Sixth New York, who soon checked 
and drove back the enemy. 

The rebel line was evidently just in front of and parallel 
with the road from St. Peter's to TunstalPs. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 525 

A prisoner from Wickham's brigade stated that Lee and 
Hampton were both in front, and there was e\adeutly a heavy 
force. 

At this time I had replenished my ammunition and was 
about to make a determined effort to drive the enemy from 
the crossroads in front (having notified the General com- 
manding of my intention), when I received orders not to 
advance until ordered. While awaiting orders, Lieutenant- 
colonel Anderson of Seventeenth Pennsylvania notified me 
that the enemy appeared to be retiring, when I assumed the 
responsibility of advancing and occupied the crossroads and 
church without opposition. 

On the right, the enemy's rear guai'd could be seen retiring 
in haste. 

During the heavy skirmishing in front, the enemy opened 
one gun from the right of the church, but as it did not 
annoy me, I did not unmask my section, not wishing to use 
it until about to advance. 

During this short but severe fight, Major Bentley, Ninth 
NeAV York, one of our bravest and most efficient officers, was 
struck in the leg, necessitating amputation. 

I Avas ordered to hold the crossroads and church, which 
I did with Ninth New York, the other regiments retiring 
two miles to camp, where I was joined by the Fourth New 
York, which had brouc;ht the pontoon train from Dunkirk. 

June 22d I was ordered to march wdth the brigade to 
Baltimore" Store, thence, in advance of the division, to Jones ' 
Bridge on the Chickahominy. Arriving at that point, a 
small party of the enemy was found attempting to destroy 
the bridge over the mill-race. They were driven off and the 
bridge partially saved. Some men were immediately thrown 
across and found the same party endeavoring to destroy the 
bridge across the river. Knowing the importance of preserv- 
ing whatever means of crossing existed, I had advanced to 
the bridge and immediately ordered Major Beardsley with 
the other squadrons of Sixth New York to cross and occupy 
the roads in front. The brigade followed and encamped in 



526 History of the 

advance of the division, holding the roads leading to Charles 
City and Long Bridge. 

On the morning of June 23d, Lieutenant-colonel Nichols 
with Ninth New York was sent on special service to the 
James River. Soon after, tli-e pickets of Sixth New York 
on Long Bridge road were attacked by a heavy force of the 
enemy, who succeeded in flanking their barricades, and drove 
them in to within five hundred yards of the main road. They 
were quicldy reinforced by the other squadrons, and the 
enemy was checked, until I came up with the Fourth New 
York and Seventeenth Pennsylvania. 

In the meantime, General Getty, whose column had halted 
near the road, had offered me a colored regiment, until I 
could get my other regiments up. The colored soldiers be- 
haved well enough at first, but their officers could not be 
found, and they were soon in hopeless confusion. I relieved 
them with Seventeenth Pennsylvania and sending in the 
Fourth New York on the right, drove the enemy back to a 
strong position, which he had barricaded, and from which, on 
my again advancing to assail him, he retired with precipita- 
tion. 

I immediately established my pickets one mile in advance 
of the former position and returned to camp. 

The attacking force was Chamblin's brigade and two guns. 

Our loss was eight killed and ten wounded, nearly all in 
first attack. The proportion of killed shows the desperate 
tenacity with which the pickets of the Sixth New York en- 
deavored to hold their position. 

On the morning of June 24th, the brigade marched in rear 
of the division train by Charles City C. H. to James River, 
arriving after nightfall. 

The brigade had scarcely gone into camp before "boots 
and saddles" was sounded and I was ordered to march to 
the road forks, one and a half miles beyond Charles City 
C. H., and support General Getty, who had been ordered to 
hold that position. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 527 

On arriving near that point, I massed the brigade and 
battery in the fields on his left and rear, and dismounting 
the Seventeenth Pennsylvania and Fourth New York, re- 
lieved General Getty's line on the left of the main road, 
holding the approach by which the enemy was expected to 
advance, with one twelve-pounder gun in position at the road 
forks. 

The night passed without alarm except from Getty's troops, 
who would fire into each other occasionally. 

The infantry retired soon after daylight, and an hour 
afterward I was relieved and marched to Charles City, thence 
to camp near Wyanoke Landing.- 

June 28th the brigade crossed in transports to Windmill 
Point and encamped. 

June 29th marched to Prince George C. H. 

June 30th marched to Lee's Mill, thence to Jerusalem 
plank road, returning and encamping near Lee's ]\Iill. 

July 1st marched to plank road and at night camped at 
intersection of road to Prince George C. H. 

July 2d marched to James River and encamped at Light- 
house Point. 

During the short but arduous campaign since May 26th, 
the brigade has lost two hundred and twenty (officers and 
men) killed and wounded, a loss comparatively severe when 
it is recollected that they Avere all old and tried soldiers. 
But forty-nine men are missing, many of whom have doubt- 
less been killed or wounded, while during the same time, the 
brigade has captured from the enemy over two hundred men 
and twenty officers. 

Where all have done their whole duty, it is impossible to 
discriminate. The regimental commanders, their officers and 
the men have, as always heretofore, been up to the mark 
wherever they have been placed or whatever duty was en- 
trusted to them. 

The brigade staff. Captains IMahnken, Wright and White, 
and my Acting Aids, Lieutenants Gating and Parker, have 
rendered me most valuable and often hazardous service. 



528 History of the 

Dr. Clarke, siirg-eon-in-chief, has been indefatigable in the 
performance of his duties, and the wounded owe much to 
his timely care and presence. 

Lieutenant Wheeler, acting brigade quartermaster, has as 
usual rendered valuable service, not onlj^ to the command, 
but to the whole division, and I would again urge upon 
superior authority the claims of this energetic and efficient 
officer. 

N.B. — I should have stated that it was by General Tor- 
bert's order that Lieutenant Gating was sent to bring out 
the Seventeenth Pennsylvania on the night of June 12tli. 

Trusting this report will be found satisfactory, I am 
Veiy respectfully your obedient servant, 

Thos. C. Devin, 
Col. Com'd'g Brigade. 
To Capt. A. E. Dana, 

A. A. G., First Cavalry Division. 

EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS BY GENERAL 
SHERIDAN. 

Winchester, Va., Aug. 17th, 1864. 

General IMerritt's division of cavalry was attacked yester- 
day afternoon on north side of Shenandoah by Kershaw's 
division of Longstreet's corps and Wickham's and Lomax's 
brigades of cavalry. After a very handsome cavalry fight 
the enemy was badly beaten, Avith a loss of two stands of 
colors, twenty-four officers and two hundred and seventy-six 
men prisoners. ****** r^i-^Q cavalry 
made some handsome sabre charges, in wiiieh most of the 
prisoners were captured. Colonel Devin was slightly 
wounded, but continued in the saddle. * * * 

Only Devin 's and Custer's brigades were engaged. * * 

Strasburg, Oct. 9th, 1864. 
In coming back to this point I was not followed in until 
late yesterday, when a large force of cavalry appeared in 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 529 

my rear. I then halted the command to offer battle by 
attacking the enemy. I became satisfied that it was only 
all the rebel cavalry of the valley commanded by Rosser, 
and directed Torbert to attack at daylight this morning and 
finish this "Savior of the Valley." The attack was hand- 
somely made. Custer, commanding Third Cavalry Division, 
charged on the Back road, and Merritt. commanding First 
Cavalry Division, on the Strasbnrg pike. Merritt captured 
five pieces of artillery. Custer captured six pieces of artil- 
lery, with caissons, battery forge, etc. The two divisions 
captured thirty-seven wagons, ambulances, etc. Among the 
wagons captured are the headquarters wagons of Rosser, 
Lomax and Wiekham and Colonel Pollard (Munford?). The 
number of prisoners captured will be about three hundred 
and thirty. The enemy after being charged by our gallant 
cavalry were broken, and ran; they were followed by our 
men on the jump twenty-six miles through IMount Jackson 
and across the North Fork of the Shenandoah. I deemed it 
best to make this delay of one day here and settle this new 
cavalry general. The eleven pieces of artillery captured 
to-day make thirty-six pieces of artillery captured in the 
valley since the 19th of September. Some of the artillery 
captured was new and never had been fired before. The 
pieces were marked, "Tredegar Works." 

Cedar Creek, Oct. 11th, 1864. 
I have seen no signs of the enemy since the brilliant engage- 
ment of the 9th instant. It was a square cavalry fight, in 
which the enemy was routed beyond my power to describe. 
He lost everything carried on wheels except one piece of artil- 
lery, and when last seen it was passing over Rude 's Hill, near 
Newmarket, on the Keen Run, twenty-six miles from the bat- 
tlefield, to which point the pursuit was kept up. 

Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 25, 1864. 
The road between Cedar Creek and Fisher's Hill for three 
miles was blocked by captured artillery and wagons. 
34 



530 History of the 

Headquarters Second Brigade, First Cavalry Division, 

Oct. 23d, 1864. 
Captain : 

July 26tli marched to the Appomattox River, crossed on 
pontoons, thence to James River, crossing by pontoons to 
Jones' Neck, from which point the brigade marched to Deep 
Bottom, arriving on the morning of July 27th. The same 
day marched to Newmarket road, where the brigade en- 
camped. 

July 27th the brigade was ordered to support the reserve 
brigade, which had been heavily attacked, and the left of 
which forced back by Wilcox's division of rebel infantry. 

I immediately ordered the Sixth and Ninth New York and 
Seventeenth Pennsylvania to prepare to fight on foot (the 
Fourth New York had been previously sent on a reconnois- 
sance on the Charles City road). While this order was in 
process of execution, the enemy's line of battle appeared on 
the crest overlooking our position near the Newmarket road. 
To carry the enemy's position, it was necessary to cross the 
men by file (on the run) through two passages across a 
swamp and ditch, and form on the bottom under the crest 
and the enemy's fire. 

This was quickly effected. I formed the squadrons as 
they passed through, and ordered the Ninth New York to 
gain the woods on the enemy's right flank. The Seventeenth 
Pennsylvania was ordered to support the Ninth, and as soon 
as the order was in process of execution, I ordered the Sixth 
New York to charge up the crest. 

The enemy, confused by the rapid and effective firing of 
the Ninth New York on their flank, and the renewed attack 
of the reserve brigade on their left, retired precipitately when 
charged in front by the Sixth New York, and the brigade 
closing in upon them, inflicted severe punishment, capturing 
seventy-two prisoners (besides a number of wounded), two 
battle flags, and killing and wounding a large number of the 
enemy. 



Sixth Neiu York Cavalry. 531 

The enemy showing a disposition to reform and advance, 
Mclntvre's section of Heaton's battery (which had already 
opened a heavj^ fire from the bottom) was ordered on the 
crest, and its splendid practice drove the enemy from the 
woods where he was massing. 

The brigade was soon after relieved by Gibbon's division 
of the Second Corps. 

The Seventeenth Pennsylvania was ordered to take np a 
part of the new line for a time, but was retained until 10 
p.m., and did not retire until they found the infantry had 
retired and left their flank exposed. 

This short but brilliant engagement reflected great credit 
on the regiments engaged, and established the fact that our 
cavalry can dismount and with their carbines successfully 
repulse their own front of veteran infantry. 

Colonel Cesnola with the Fourth New York was for a time 
cut off from the command, but succeeded in coming in with 
the loss of one man wounded and a few horses. 

July 29th, at 1 a.m., crossed James River to Jones' Neck. 
At daylight recrossed to Deep Bottom and fonned in line of 
battle, with the division remaining in line until dark, when 
the brigade recrossed the James and Appomattox Rivers, and 
on the morning of July 30th marched to the Jerusalem 
plank road on the left of the army. On the same night 
marched to Lee's Mills, relieving a brigade of Gregg's divi- 
sion. 

July 31st marched to City Point and encamped. 

August 3d embarked at City Point for Camp Stoneman at 
Giesboro's Point. 

On the night of Aug-ust 6th marched through Washington 
and Georgetown to Tenallytown, where the brigade encamped. 

August 7th marched by Rockville, Darnestown and 
Damersville to Monocacy Church, where the brigade en- 
camped. 

August 8th marched by Point of Rocks, Petersville and 
Knoxville to Pleasant Valley, where the brigade encamped. 



532 History of the 

August 9th crossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferr^^ and 
marched to Halltown, where the brigade encamped. 

August 10th marched by Charlestown and Berryville to 
Chapel Bridge and encamped one mile beyond. 

Fight at the Old Toll Gate. 

Colonel Cesnola with the Fourth New York was ordered to 
reconnoitre toward Newtow^n. Colonel Cesnola having re- 
ported the enemy in force on the Front Royal turnpike, the 
brigade was ordered up in support, the Sixth New York and 
Seventeenth Pennsylvania on the left, and the Ninth New 
York advancing on a line one mile to the right, but intersect- 
ing the Front Royal pike. 

The enemy was found strong, posted behind stone walls, 
at the point where the road from White Post to Newto^vu 
crosses the Front Royal pike. 

The Sixth New York was ordered to charge the enemy's 
left flank, but from the nature of the ground, fences, etc., 
was unable to make any impression mounted, and was obliged 
to retire. 

I now ordered one section of Heaton's battery into posi- 
tion, and opened upon the enemy's front; at the same time 
I ordered the Sixth New York and Seventeenth Pennsylvania 
to dismount and charge the left of his position, which was 
at this time partially uncovered. 

The galling fire on his flank soon dislodged the enemy from 
his cover, and he precipitately retired to a position one mile 
in rear, whence he opened upon my advance with a battery 
of three-inch guns. 

I immediately ordered up the other section of Heaton's 
battery, and unlimbering within short range, soon made the 
enemy vacate his new position and retire toward Ne^^i;o^vn. 

The force engaged proved to be Vaughan's Tennessee bri- 
gade of mounted infantry. 

I was now ordered by General Merritt to halt and reform. 

At 4 p.m. I was ordered to march in rear of the reserve 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 533 

brigade on the road toward Newtown. After advancing some 
miles, the reserve brigade became warmly engaged, and being 
ordered to support, I sent in successively the Sixth New 
York, Seventeenth Pennsylvania and Ninth New York. The 
enemy was driven a mile before dark, when the brigade was 
retired, and encamped. 

August 12th the brigade marched to Newtown, where I 
was ordered to march in the direction of Fawcett's Gap, and 
scour the country in that vicinity. I marched to Cedar Run 
Church, whence the Fourth New York was sent to Fawcett's 
Gap, and the Sixth New York was ordered to pursue a train 
of the enemy's wagons, then about two miles ahead on the 
Strasburg road. 

The Fourth New York reached the gap without trouble, 
and ascertained that no trains or organized bodies of the 
enemy had passed in that direction. A few stragglers were 
captured. 

The Sixth New York came up and engaged the enemy's 
rear guard for two miles, but was unable to overtake the 
wagons before reaching the cover of the enemy's infantry at 
Strasburg. 

At 3 p.m. I received a dispatch from General Merritt 
ordering me to join the division at Middletown, which point 
I reached at dark, and encamped. 

August 13th the brigade crossed Cedar Creek to near Stras- 
burg, but was ordered to recross, and went into camp west 
of the turnpike. At 7 p.m. the brigade was ordered to march 
in the direction of Cedarville, on Front Royal and the Win- 
chester pike. Encamped that night five miles from Middle- 
town and picketed to Cedarville. 

August 14th marched to Cedarville and encamped. Drove 
the enemy's pickets across both forks of the Shenandoah and 
picketed within sight of Front Royal. 

August 16th General Merritt came up with the First and 
reserve brigades. The latter went into position at Stony 
Point. Custer's brigade remaining in support at Cedarville. 



534 History of the 

Battle of Front Koyal. 

About 2 p.m. a heavy force of cavalry and artillery crossed 
the river above the forks, and driving in the squadrons of the 
Ninth New York on picket, obtained possession of the high 
crests on each side of the turnpike, at the point where it 
crosses Crooked Run. At the same time, AVickham's bri- 
gade of rebel cavalry dashed up the turnpike and charged 
Hanley's squadron of the Ninth New York (which had been 
dismounted). Captain Hanley in the most gallant manner 
held the enemy in check until I was enabled to get up the 
Fourth New York (Colonel Cesnola), with which I at once 
charged the enemy's column in flank, capturing a number of 
prisoners and a battle flag. 

I now ordered the other three squadrons of the Ninth 
New York to take position on the hills to the right, and 
threaten the enemy's left. The Sixth New York and Seven- 
teenth Pennsylvania were placed in support. 

The enemy having thrown across the line a heavy force 
of infantry at the ford at the forks of the two rivers, at this 
time suddenly appeared in force on the left and front. 

The Fourth New York and two squadrons of the Sixth 
New York were sent across the turnpike and at once 
charged the enemy before he had an opportunity to form. 
The rebel infantry was driven into the river, where many 
of them were taken prisoners, and another battle-flag was 
captured by the Sixth New York. 

Two squadrons of the Sixth New York had fortunately 
been left in reserve in a hollow upon the right of the pike. 

Simultaneously with the charges of the Fourth and Sixth 
upon the enemy's infantry, his cavalry, led by General 
Wickham in person, again crossed the run and dashed up 
uhe pike. The head of his column was at once charged in 
flank by the two squadrons of the Sixth New York, and 
again he was routed and driven across the run. 

The enemy had, by incredible exertion, succeeded in 
placing his guns upon the almost perpendicular crests 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 535 

before mentioned, and dnring the whole action kept an in- 
cessant rain of shot and shell upon onr line, but fortunately 
with slight effect. 

The elevation was too great to allow of our guns being 
used upon them etfeetually, although Pierce's battery was 
advanced to the front and succeeded in reaching the crest 
with shell. 

General Custer had in the meantime engaged the enemy 
upon my extreme left, and although he made repeated 
efforts to gain a footing upon the side of the run, he was in 
every instance repulsed until dark. 

August 17th the brigade marched to Nineveh. At that 
point the Fourth New York was sent to the vicinity of 
White Post to burn all hay and grain stacks, etc. The 
other regiments marched to the Berryville turnpike, to near 
Chapel Run, where the brigade encamped, picketing the 
front of the division. 

August 19th Colonel Cesnola assumed command of the 
brigade, Colonel Devin having been wounded in the action 
at Front Royal. 

August 20th the brigade was ordered to retire to Berry- 
ville and encamped. 

August 21st the brigade was ordered to cover the retire- 
ment of Lowell's brigade, w^hich had been attacked by the 
enemy on the Winchester pike. After Colonel Lowell had 
withdrawn, the brigade was ordered to cover the rear of the 
division, then retiring to Charlestown, where the command 
encamped. 

August 22d marched to near ShepherdstoAvn and 
encamped, picketing toward Charlestown. 

August 25th marched to Kearneysville, v/here the brigade 
went into action on the right of the division, then about to 
engage the enemy's infantry. At 1 p.m., after suffering 
severely, the brigade was ordered to retire in almost a par- 
allel with the First Brigade. 

Marched to near Shepherdstown, where the command 



536 History of the 

again engaged the enemy, who had closed up and had suc- 
ceeded in cutting off the First Brigade from the division. 

Major Durland, with Seventeenth Pennsylvania, was 
ordered to charge the enemy and open communication with 
the First Brigade. The Major charged gallantly, driving 
the enemy back into the woods, and to a certain extent 
relieving the First Brigade, although he did not succeed in 
opening communication. The brigade was then ordered to 
retire, and encamped near Bolivar Heights. 

August 26th advanced pickets to near Charlestown. 

August 28th marched to Leetown and engaged the 
enemy's cavalry, driving them through Smithfield, where 
the brigade encamped. 

August 29th the brigade was ordered into action in the 
extreme left of the division, then engaged with the enemy's 
infantry. After a severe fight the brigade was ordered to 
retire in column, parallel with the other brigades, and 
encamped on Washington farm. 

August 30th the brigade marched to Berryville in ad- 
vance of the division, and encamped near the town. Colo- 
nel Cesnola was relieved from commaiid and ordered to 
Harper's Ferry for muster-out. 

I would respectfully state that in consequence of a wound 
received in action near Front Royal I was absent from the 
brigade from Aug. ]9th to Sept. 15th. consequently unable 
to detail from personal observation the operations of the 
brigade during that time, but have been obliged to rely 
upon such data as are now accessible. I believe, however, 
the facts as stated are mainly correct. 

Throughout the whole of this quick, sharp and arduous 
campaign the officers and men of the brigade have been true 
to their reputation and that of the gallant old First 
Division. 

The regimental commanders, Cesnola, Durland, Nichols 
and Beardsley, have been up to the mark, and their men 
have followed with the confidence that arises from an im- 
plicit trust in the ability of their gallant leaders. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 537 

My staff. Captain Mahnken, A. A. G. ; Captain Thorp, 
A. I. G.; Captain White, Pro. Mar.; Surg. Clarke, and Lieu- 
tenants Gating and Parker, acting aides, have added to 
their already well-earned reputation as gallant soldiers and 
efficient staff. Very respectfully, 

(Signed) Thos. C. Devin, 

Brevet Brigadier-general. 

EXTRACTS FROM SHERIDAN'S REPORT. 

It will be seen by the foregoing narrative that the idea 
advanced by me at the commencement of the campaign, viz., 
"that our cavalry ought to fight the enemy's cavalry, and 
our infantry the enemy's infantry," was carried into effect 
immediately after the Battle of the Wilderness. The result 
was constant success and the almost total annihilation of the 
rebel cavalry. We marched when and where we pleased; 
were always the attacking party, and ahvays successful. 

During the period herein embraced I am led to believe, 
on information derived from the most reliable sources, that 
the enemy's cavalry was superior to ours in numbers, but 
the esprit of our men increased every day, while that of the 
enemy diminished. In these marches, and in others after- 
ward performed in connection with the Valley and Appo- 
mattox campaigns, we were obliged to live to a great extent 
on the country. Forage had to be thus obtained for our 
horses and provisions for our men, consequently many hard- 
ships were necessarily brought on the people, but no out- 
rages were tolerated. I do not believe war to be simply 
that lines should engage each other in battle, as that is but 
the duello part — a part which would be kept up as long as 
those who live at home in peace and plenty could find the 
best youth of the country to enlist in their cause (I say the 
best, for the bravest are always the best), and therefore do 
not regret the system of living on the enemy's country. 
These men and women did not care how many were killed 
or maimed, so long as war did not come to their doors, but 
as soon as it did come in the shape of loss of property, they 



538 History of the 

earnestly prayed for its termination. As war is a punish- 
ment, and death the maximum punishment, if we can, by 
reducing its advocates to poverty, end it more quickly, we 
are on the side of humanity. * * * * 

In all the operations the percentage of cavalry casualties 
was as great as that of the infantry, and the question which 
had existed, "Who ever saw a dead cavalryman?" was at 
rest. 

AFFAIR NEAR LOVETTSVILLE, VA. 

LovETTSviLLE, Jan. 30, 1865. 

Your dispatch received at midnight of Tuesday, Jan. 17. 
Colonel White of Rosser's cavalry, with a force said by citi- 
zens to number 220 men, crossed the Short Hill by a moun- 
tain path within five miles of Harper's Ferry, and sur- 
prised the videttes of the Sixth New York on that road 
without a shot ; charged the reserve, who were all on hand 
and resisted stoutly, but were forced back on the camp. 
The men of the Sixth turned out of their huts, formed in 
their streets, and in three minutes flanked and drove White 
out of the camp, killing three of his men, who were found, 
and wounding more or less severely eleven, who were car- 
ried off. As soon as the Sixth could obtain permission 
they saddled and followed White to Purcellville, but could 
not overtake him. 

Two men of the Sixth were killed and five wounded. 
Lieutenant Carroll was mortally wounded by an officer who 
had surrendered to him ; the fellow got away. 

The Sixth lost eight horses; eleven of White's horses 
were found wounded on the road by the pursuing party, 
it was a stormy night, and the tracks showed that the 
videttes were surprised by dismounted men. 

The affair occurred just before my return to camp. 

Respectfully, 

Thos. C. Devin, 

Brigadier-general. 
Captain Hayden, Asst. Adjt. Gen'l. 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 539 

Headquarters Second Brigade, First Cavalry Division. 
White House, Va., March 19, 1865. 
:Major a. E. Dana, A. A. G., First Cavaliy Division. 

Major: I have the honor to forward the following report 
of the operations of the Second Brigade, First Cavalry 
Division, dnring the late cavalry expedition. 

The brigade left Winchester with the cavalry of the val- 
ley Feb. 27, 1865, and marched without incident of impor- 
tance by the Valley pike to Staunton, arriving there March 
2d, having seen no enemy by the way but a small party of 
fifty cavalry, which made a demonstration on the right 
flank of the brigade Feb. 28th, but were easily repulsed by 
a squadron from the Sixth New York Cavalry. Near Staun- 
ton a detachment of three hundred men from Twentieth 
Pennsylvania, under JMajor Douglas, was sent to Swope's 
Station, eight miles west of Staunton, for the destruction of 
rebel government property there. The expedition was high- 
ly successful, destroying a large amount of valuable quar- 
termaster and commissary stores, viz., the depot, and four 
barns in the vicinity, containing the following amount of 
stores: three thousand pairs bootees, a like number of 
shirts, drawers, pants, jackets and blankets, fifty thousand 
pounds of ham and bacon, and a small quantity of ordnance 
stores, consisting of small arms and ammunition. 

At Staunton the Fourth New York, one hundred and 
twenty strong, and two hundred and fifty-seven men with 
unserviceable horses, under Lieutenant-colonel Nichols of 
the Ninth New York, were sent to the rear as part of the 
escort to the prisoners and guns captured by Third 
Division at Waynesboro. The Sixth New York. Major 
AVhite commanding, was left at Staunton for the destruc- 
tion of rebel property there, and reported to me at night, 
having destroyed seventeen stage coaches, sixty wagons, 
one tannery containing a large quantity of leather, and one 
government blacksmith-shop. Leaving Staunton March 8d 
the brigade marched Avith the division through Waynesboro 



540 History of the 

and Rockfish Gap, burning a large tannery by the way, and 
camped seven miles west of Charlottesville — distance made, 
twenty-nine miles. Arrived at Charlottesville on the 4th of 
March, and on the 5th the Sixth and Ninth New York and 
Seventeenth Pennsylvania were detached and sent to assist 
in the destruction of the Orange & Alex. R. R.. south of 
Charlottesville. This work was done most effectually, the 
regiments named demolishing the road for a distance of two 
miles, burning the ties and heating and bending every rail, 
and burning two bridges, each fifty feet in length. A rebel 
caisson concealed near camp was also destroyed here. At 
Charlottesville also were destroyed two thousand pounds of 
tobacco, fifteen wagons loaded Avith corn, wheat, tobacco 
and flour; also a tannery containing one thousand hides. 

The command was supplied at Charlottesville with seven 
days' rations of sugar, coffee and salt, and marched March 
6th through Scottsville to Howardsville, at the mouth of 
Rockfish River on the James, making a march of thirty- 
three miles, and destroying effectually one canal lock at 
Scottsville. 

The First New York Dragoons, Major Smith command- 
ing, were sent from Howardsville March 6th with instruc- 
tions to proceed rapidly to Hardwickville, twelve miles up 
the river, and to use his utmost exertions to seize and hold 
the bridge at that point. The attempt was a failure. Major 
Smith reaching the bridge at early dawn, just in time to 
see it destroyed by fire. It was impossible to save the 
bridge, each end being filled with straw and a man sta- 
tioned ready to apply a match on the slightest indication of 
a hostile approach. Major Smith contented himself with 
destroying three hundred and thirty-six sacks of salt, four 
bales of cotton and a large quantity of tobacco, and then 
rejoined the brigade at Warminster, and with the Sixth 
New York destroyed the locks at that point. March 8th 
the brigade was ordered by General Merritt to proceed 
without delay to Columbia, to reach there by daylight on the 
9tli and to remain there until further orders, holding the 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 541 

place and sending back all the information possible regard- 
ing the movements of the enemy. The brigade marched at 
12 m.. reached Scottsville at dark, halted one hour to rest 
and feed, and then in a hard rain and through heavy roads 
pushed on for Columbia, reaching there at daylight. Two 
squadrons of the Sixth New York were left to protect the 
bridge over the Hardware River, and were relieved two 
days after by Colonel Pennington's brigade of the Third 
Division, Ma.jor Farmer commanding, the detachment hav- 
ing captured and destroyed in the meantime three wagons 
loaded with commissary stores, and a number of horses and 
mules. The march from Warminster to Columbia, a dis- 
tance of fifty-six miles, was made in seventeen hours, and 
was a most severe one, owing to the rain and mud encoun- 
tered. The loss in horses was less than the severity of the 
march might be supposed to cause, and this loss was more 
than made up by animals captured on the route. 

Before reaching Columbia, Captain Blunt, brigade in- 
spector, with two orderlies, succeeded in capturing three 
of Fitz Lee's scouts with their horses, arms and equipments. 

Arriving at Columbia strong scouting parties were at 
once sent out on the Richmond and Palmyra roads, and a 
small party sent back to acquaint General INIerritt with the 
progress of the brigade. This party captured two rebels, 
with horses, arms and equipments, near Scottsville. The 
detachment on the Richmond road, fifteen men and an officer, 
proceeded to Cartersville, eleven miles down the river, to 
the site of the old bridge, and returned at night without 
seeing the enemy, after destroying a canal-boat and a large 
amount of commissary stores. The information obtained 
by this detachment, as well as that sent to Palmyra, was all 
to the effect that Fitzhugh Lee's division of cavalry was 
south of the James River, marching toward Columbia in 
anticipation of our crossing there. According to orders 
received from General Merritt. there was no destruction of 
property at Columbia, with the exception of breaching the 
canal. 



542 History of the 

The brigade remained at Columbia until the arrival of the 
rest of the cavalry on the 10th of March, and then destroyed 
two naval camps in the vicinity, containing the following 
property: one valuable steam-engine, a great number of 
workmen's tools and a large amount of dressed timber. 

March 11th, in compliance with orders from General Mer- 
ritt, the brigade proceeded to Goochland C. H. for the 
destruction of government property there. The march was 
commenced at 6 a.m. and Goochland reached at 1 p.m., the 
distance made being twenty miles. The advance into 
Goochland was disputed by a squadron of fifty of the 
Seventh South Carolina, Geary's brigade, which was 
charged by Major Dinnin with one squadron of the Ninth 
New York, and routed. Major Dinnin capturing an officer 
and thirteen enlisted men. 

A strong scouting party sent out on the river road ad- 
vanced to within eighteen miles of Richmond without meet- 
ing any opposition. The brigade destroyed all the canal 
locks between Columbia and Goochland, ten in number. 
Also fifteen canal-boats, most of them loaded with grain 
and commissary stores, two thousand pounds of tobacco, 
four hogsheads of tobacco, one large warehouse, one dredge, 
one grist-mill and one saw-mill. The jail at Goochland, in 
which Union soldiers had been imprisoned, was also burned. 
The command left Goochland at 6 p.m. and rejoined the 
cavalry at Columbia at midnight. 

On the 12th the brigade marched with the cavalry com- 
mand to within a short distance of Tollersville, on Virginia 
Central Railroad, and camped, and the next day assisted 
in tearing up the track, burning the ties and bending the 
rails as far as Fredericks Hall. 

Marched on the 14th to Beaverdam, twelve miles; on the 
15th to Taylorsville and returned, crossing the North Anna 
at 4 p.m. at lower ford and camped at Mt. Carmel Church. 
Continued the m?.rcli next day and reached the White 
House without further incident March 19th. 

During the expedition the brigade has marched over four 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 543 

hundred and fifty miles, and has destroyed the amount of 
property shown in the appended list, has captured fifty-one 
prisoners of war, two hundred and seventy horses, and one 
hundred and seventy-five mules. The command has never 
suffered from scarcity of forage or rations, good foraging 
parties, under competent officers, having been able to meet 
every want. 

The loss in the brigade has been slight: one man killed 
and Uno wounded by guerrillas, forty-two reported missing, 
chiefly stragglers, who have been picked up by the enemy, 
and one died from disease. 

The health of the command is perfect; no sick are 
reported. 

I cannot speak in too high terms of the zeal and intelli- 
gence of the members of the staff whom I found at brigade 
headquarters on assuming command. Captain Mahn- 
ken, A. A. G. ; Captain Cating.P. M. ; Captain Blunt, Brig. 
Inspr. ; Lieutenant Chamberlin, Ord. Off., and Doctor 
Clarke, Brig. Surg., have all performed their duties with 
energy and ability, and I commend them to my superiors 
for a proper recognition of their services. 

Property Destroyed. 

Six and a quarter miles of railroad, eighteen canal locks, 
six flat boats loaded with tobacco and flour, twelve canal- 
boats, five canal-boat loads of tobacco, flour and hospital 
supplies, two large buildings containing three hundred 
hogsheads of tobacco, one jail at Goochland C. H., five hun- 
dred cords railroad wood, one depot, four barns, three thou- 
sand pairs bootees, two thousand pairs pants, jackets, 
drawers and blankets, fifty thousand pounds of meat, a 
small quantity of ordnance (small arms and ammunition), 
four thousand pounds tobacco, fifteen wagons containing 
corn, wheat, flour and tobacco ; one tannery with one thou- 
sand hides, two naval camps with workmen's implements, 
one steam-engine, and a quantity of dressed timber, four 
hogsheads leaf tobacco, quantity of blacksmith's tools, one 



544 History of the 

boat-load corn, the machinery of a saw-mill, one large ware- 
house, one mill, three wagons loaded with quartermaster 
and commissary stores, four bales cotton, eight boxes tobac- 
co, forty-two hogsheads tobacco, twelve barrels potash, eight 
bales hay, one dredge, one thousand grain-sacks, one thou- 
sand shelter tents, and three hundred and thirty-six sacks 

salt. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant. 

(Signed) Chas. L. Fitzhugh, 

Col. Comdg. Brigade. 

Headquarters First Cavalry Division, Army of the Shen- 
andoah. 

Camp at White House, March 23, 1865. 
Captain : 

I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
operations of this division from Feb. 27th to March 18th, 
inclusive. 

On the morning of Feb. 27th the division marched from 
Winchester on the Valley turnpike, and passing through 
Newtown, Middletown and Strasburg encamped the same 
night near Woodstock. The Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry 
was ordered to push on and seize and hold the bridge across 
Stony Creek at Edinburg. The order was carried out 
with slight opposition from a party of rebel cavalry. At 
5 a.m. the same regiment was ordered to push on to Mount 
Jackson and seize and hold the bridge across the north fork 
of the Shenandoah, if it had not been destroyed. The regi- 
ment reached the river, but found the bridge had been 
destroyed some time previous. 

On the morning of the 28th the division marched in rear 
of the trains to Mount Jackson, crossed the north fork on 
pontoons, marching thence through Newmarket to Lacy's 
Spring, where it encamped at 12 p.m. While on the march 
between Woodstock and Edinburg, the train was attacked 
in flank by a party of rebel cavalry, who were quickly 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 545 

driveu off. The reserve brigade, which covered the taking 
up of the pontoons, did not reach camp until 3 a.m. 

On the morning of March 1st the division marched in 
advance of the trains to Harrisonburg, thence to Mount 
Crawford, crossing the North River by the turnpike bridge, 
thence by Mount Sydney to the Middle River, which was 
crossed on the turnpike bridge, the division encamping 
within four miles of Staunton, having marched twenty-nine 
miles. 

At 8 p.m. the First Brigade, Colonel Stagg commanding, 
was ordered to march through or around Staunton and 
destroy the railroad bridge at the crossing of Christian 
Creek. Colonel Stagg succeeded in reaching the bridge 
with but slight opposition, fired the bridge and returned to 
Staunton. From some cause (a heavy rain was falling) the 
structure was not thoroughly destroyed. I Avould respect- 
fully refer to Colonel Stagg 's report in connection there- 
with. 

On the morning of March 2d the division marched 
in rear of the trains to Staunton. At this point 
three hundred men of the Twentieth Pennsylvania 
Cavalry of the Second Brigade, under Major Doug- 
las, were ordered to proceed to Swoope's Station and 
destroy the government property at that point. The expe- 
dition was entirely successful, resulting in the destruction 
of the depot and four barns in the vicinity, with all their 
contents, consisting of an immense amount of valuable 
commissary and quartermaster's stores, and a small quan- 
tity of ordnance stores. The Sixth New York Cavalry was 
detailed to destroy all government property at Staunton, 
which duty was fully accomplished, the government 
blacksmith-shop, a large tannery and a number of wagons 
and stage-coaches being totally destroyed. The division 
marched in rear of the trains and encamped east of the 
crossing at Christian Creek, having made but twelve miles. 
The road from Staunton to the creek was very heavy and 
the progress of the train very slow. 
35 



546 History of the 

March 3d orders were received from cavalry headquar- 
ters directing that a regiment from each brigade of the 
division, together with all dismounted men and those 
mounted on unserviceable horses, be sent to the rear as part 
of the escort to guard prisoners and guns captured at 
Waynesboro. In furtherance of said orders the First 
Rhode Island and Fourth and TAventy-fifth New York Cav- 
alry, together with all sick and dismounted men, and the 
unserviceable horses, were sent to the rear. Lieutenant- 
colonel Nichols, Ninth New York Cavalry, was assigned to 
command the detachment from this division. The division 
then marched to Waynesboro. At this point the First and 
Second Brigades were ordered to ford the South River, 
cross the mountain through Rockfish Gap, and follow the 
Third Division in the direction of Charlottesville. The 
river was rising rapidly and the crossing difficult and dan- 
gerous, but the column, followed by the trains, w^as crossed 
without accident. The reserve brigade was ordered to 
remain at Waynesboro, destroy all government or public 
property and then follow the train. A detachment from 
this brigade blew up the iron railroad bridge across South 
River and destroyed a large number of wagons, caissons, 
muskets, ordnance stores, ammunition, etc., captured the 
day previous by General Custer. The brigade then 
marched in rear of the trains and encamped at Brookville. 
The First and Second Brigades had pushed on and 
encamped at Ivy Station, seven miles from Charlottesville, 
having marched twenty-six miles. The train was halted at 
various points along the route, the terrible state of the roads 
rendering it utterly impossible to close it up and park it at 
any one point. After crossing the mountain, the Second 
Brigade destroyed a large tannery with a lot of leather, 
hides, wagons, etc. 

March 4th. the trains having closed up at 1 p.m., the First 
and Second Brigades moved to Charlottesville and 
encamped. The reserve brigade encamped at Ivy Station, 
covering the rear of the train. 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 547 

March 5tli the First Brigade and three regiments 
of the Second Brigade, all inider command of Col- 
onel Stagg. were detached to destroy the Vir- 
ginia Central Railroad south of Charlottesville. Three 
miles of the road were thoroughly destroyed by burn- 
ing the ties and heating, bending and twisting the 
rails. Tavo bridges, fifty feet in length, were all destroyed. 
The Second Brigade also destroyed at Charlottesville two 
thousand pounds of tobacco, fifteen wagon-loads of corn, 
wheat, etc.. and a tannery containing one thousand hides. 
On this day the reserve brigade joined the division, having 
destroyed the depot at Ivy Station, with water tanks and 
warehouses containing tobacco and commissary stores. On 
this day rations were issued to the command, tents burned, 
wagons lightened and the pack trains cleaned out to fur- 
nish fresh animals in exchange for the jaded ones in the 
train. 

March 6th the division marched to Scottsville on the 
James Eiver canal, twenty miles, arriving at 3 p.m. At 
this point three canal-boats were captured, one loaded with 
shell, 9600. and two with government commissary stores 
and tobacco. These were totally destroyed and burned, 
together with a large cloth mill, five-story flouring mill, 
candle factory, machine shop and tobacco warehouse. Each 
of those buildings was crammed with the products of its 
manufacture to a surprising extent, and all were totally 
destroyed. 

The Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry was sent east on the 
tow-path to destroy the aqueduct over Hardware River, 
and a detachment of Second Massachusetts Cavalry was 
sent Avest on the tow-path to the aqueduct over Toolers' 
Creek, Avith the same instructions. Those structures Avere 
destroyed to as great an extent as the solid masonry of 
Avhich they Avere constructed Avould admit Avith the limited 
means at our command. 

Before starting from Charlottesville the First Michigan 
of the First Brigade, Colonel IMaxAvell commanding, had 



548 History of the 

been detached to the left to strike the Rivauua River near 
Palmyra C. H. to destroj^ all public property in that vicin- 
it}^ and proceed thence to Scottsville. Colonel Maxwell ex- 
ecuted efficiently the duty entrusted to him, destroying the 
Rivanna Bridge at Palmyra, together Avith one cotton mill, 
one flouring mill, and an immense amount of wheat, flour, 
cotton and wool, marching the same night to Scottsville. 
At 5 p.m. the First and Second -Brigades were ordered to 
march to Howardsville on the canal, twelve miles distant. 
Brigadier-general Gibbs, with the reserve brigade, was 
ordered to remain at Scottsville and complete the destruc- 
tion of public works in that vicinity, and then, with the par- 
ties that had been detached, rejoin the division. 

The Second Brigade and division headquarters marched 
direct to Howardsville by the back road, arriving at 10 p.m. 
The First Brigade struck the tow-path at Warren and 
marched by Howardsville by that route. The Ninth 
New York Cavalry, Second Brigade, accompanied by Cap- 
tain Cooley of corps staff, marched by the tow-path to 
Howardsville, destroying five locks and two tobacco ware- 
houses containing three hundred hogsheads of tobacco. 
The First and Second Brigades encamped at Howardsville. 

]March 7th. at 2 a.m., the First New York Dragoons, 
Major Smith commanding, were ordered to proceed on the 
tow-path twelve miles to Hardwickville and seize and hold 
the bridge across James River at that point. Major Smith 
was unable to save the bridge, as for some time previous it 
had been filled with straw and saturated with tar and tur- 
pentine, and was fired at the first intimation of his ap- 
proach. He. however, destroyed three hundred and thirty- 
six sacks of salt and a quantity of tobacco and cotton. 

During the morning detachments from First and Second 
Brigades were employed in destroying the aqueduct over 
Rockfish River, reaching the canal and burning a canal- 
boat heavily loaded with government commissary stores. 
About 10 a.m. the First Brigade was ordered to march up 
the tow-path to Newmarket and to destroy all locks, etc., 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 549 

on the canal. This duty was efficiently performed, seven 
locks being totally destroyed. The Second Brigade crossed 
the canal bridge over Rockfish River and, striking off to the 
right, marched to Newmarket by the river road and, halt- 
ing near Warminster, destroyed the lock at that point. 

The reserve brigade, which had arrived from Scottsville 
after the division started, had marched np by the tow-path, 
destroying all public works left by the other commands, 
inelnding a large mill at Warren, and before leaving How- 
ardsville burned a large manufactory and warehouse filled 
with government saddles, etc., a plow factory, and a 
tobacco and commissary warehouse. 

The division encamped at Newmarket on the night of the 
7th. with the exception of the Sixth Pennsylvania, which 
was ordered to proceed at a rapid gait to the bridge across 
James River at Duguidsville, and endeavor to seize and 
hold that approach to the south bank of the river. The 
Seventeenth Pennsylvania was sent in support of the Sixth 
Pennsylvania. Every exertion was made to accomplish the 
end desired, but the enemy's precautions were too well 
taken and the bridge was fired before the regiment had 
approached within a mile. 

March Sth the First and reserve brigades were for a short 
time employed in destroying the dam and breaching the 
canal at Newmarket. The Second Brigade was then 
detached to proceed toward Columbia and occupy that 
place. This brigade made a forced march of fifty-six 
miles in seventeen hours, a most severe task when the 
weather (a heavy rain storm) and the state of the roads are 
borne in mind. In the meantime, the First and reserve 
brigades had been ordered to march by the tow-path to 
Duguidsville, twelve miles, and await further orders. On 
arriving opposite Duguidsville I massed the two brigades 
on the hill over the canal. I soon after received orders to 
retire at 4 p.m. I directed the First Brigade and section of 
battery to march by the towpath to Newmarket, intending 
to follow with the reserve brigade. Just as the First Bri- 



550 History of the 

gade and battery had stretched out upon the tow-path, a 
force of the enemy which had been watching us from the 
opposite bank of the river opened a sharp fire on the col- 
umn. I at once ordered the Fifth U. S. Cavalry to dis- 
mount and cover the retirement of the troops then en route. 
As I considered it imprudent to allow the enemy to sup- 
pose that he could annoy the column with impunity, I felt 
justified in using extreme measures, and at once opened fire 
upon the town, quickly emptying it of all concerned. I 
then retired the reserve brigade by the mountain road, 
reaching Newmarket at 8 p.m. On returning from Duguids- 
ville to Newmarket, the locks between the two points, five 
in number, together with two canal-boats, one dredge, two 
bridges and one flouring mill were totally destroyed by the 
First Brigade. 

March 9th, at 1 p.m., the First and Second Brigades 
marched in rear of the train by the river road via Warmin- 
ster to a point near Howardsville, where the command 
crossed the canal by a bridge and advanced upon the tow- 
path to Scottsville. This was a most harassing and fatigaiing 
march to the already hard-worked command. The wagons 
were greatly impeded by the horrible state of the roads, and 
the men were alternately halting and marching until day- 
break, when the command reached Scottsville. 

March 10th, after resting two hours to feed and groom 
the animals, the First Brigade was ordered to follow the 
train on the tow-path to Columbia. The reserve brigade 
with division headquarters marched by the back road, and 
the command encamped at Columbia at 10 p.m. 

While en route the First Brigade destroyed all the locks 
between Scottsville and Columbia, eight in number, 
together w^ith thirteen canal bridges, four flouring mills, 
five warehouses, lumber yards, tobacco, cotton, etc. 

March 10th, at 3 p.m., the division crossed the Kivanna 
River and encamped beyond Columbia, on the road to 
Louisa C. II. The Second Brigade here joined the division, 
having marched to and returned from Goochland C. H., 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 551 

destroying all canal locks, ten in number, between Colum- 
bia and Goochland, fifteen canal-boats loaded with grain 
and commissary stores, four thousand pounds of tobacco, 
one saw-mill, one grist-mill, one dredge, one warehouse, and 
the jail at Goochland, and capturing, in a charge, one officer 
and thirteen men, Seventh South Carolina Cavalry. While 
at Goochland, Colonel Fitzhugh scouted to within eighteen 
miles of Richmond. 

March 12th the command marched by Yancey ville to the 
north bank of the South Anna and encamped, the First Bri- 
gade fording the river, and the Second and reserve 
brigades, Avith the wagon trains, crossing at the bridge two 
and a half miles east. 

IMarch 13th the division marched to Tollersville on the 
Central Railroad. Nearly the whole available force of the 
command was at once set to work destroying the railroad by 
ripping up and burning the ties and heating, bending and 
twisting the rails. The road was rendered useless from 
Tollersville to near Fredericks Hall, where the division 
encamped at 10 p.m. A large tannery at the former place 
was also destroyed by the Fifth U. S. Cavalry attached to 
division headquarters. 

March 14th I was ordered to march with the First and 
Second Brigades and strike the Central Railroad Bridge 
over South Anna. I reached taylorsville, eighteen miles 
distant, at 4 p.m., and immediately ordered the Second 
Massachusetts Cavalry to advance and destroy the bridge 
(which was three miles to the left). I ordered the Fifth 
U. S. Cavalry to follow and cover the Second Massachu- 
setts, and charge the bridge if there was any opposition, 
and if it could be crossed. I at the same time directed 
the Sixth Pennsylvania to advance to the long bridge on 
the Fredericksburg Railroad, which was directly in my 
front, and to destroy that structure. The Sixth U. S. Cav- 
alry was ordered to cover the work. ^Major Drew of the 
division staff' accompanied the Fifth II. S. and Major 
Dana, A. A. G., the Sixth Pennsylvania. The Fifth U. S. 



552 History of the 

taking a different route reached the bridge before 
the Second Massachusetts, and the advance, under 
Lieutenant Hastings, dismounting, charged across the 
bridge, routed the enemy from behind his works, capturing 
three three-inch rifle guns, with caissons, etc. The enemy 
rallied eight hundred yards in front, and atteinpted to 
charge, but the gallant Fifth loaded and turned his own 
guns upon him, and a few rounds sufficed to drive him from 
the field. Before midnight the bridge was completely 
destroyed, as was also the Fredericksburg Railroad Bridge. 
In the meantime, I had detailed strong working parties to 
destroy the two railroad bridges over the Little River, a 
work which was fully accomplished before daylight. 

March 15th, at daylight, one regiment of the First Bri- 
gade was sent to destroy the bridge of Fredericksburg 
R. R. across the North Anna. Another regiment of the 
same brigade was ordered to destroy the trestle work over 
the swamp at Hanover Junction, together with the depot 
and government property- at that place. 

At an early hour I received orders from cavalry head- 
quarters to cross the South Anna and advance to Hanover 
C. H. As the river could not be forded, and no bridge 
existed in the vicinity, the work was allowed to go on while 
a crossing was sought for. As soon as a bridge was found 
(two miles to the right) the parties were called in and the 
First Michigan Cavalry was ordered to cross, advance to 
Hanover C. H., and open communication with Greneral Cus- 
ter at Ashland. The reserve brigade followed at once, and 
the command was about to advance when orders were 
received to halt and await further developments. Strong 
scouting parties were thrown out on the line between 
Ashland and Hanover C. H., at which latter place 
Colonel Maxwell, with the First jNlichigan, contin- 
ued to maintain his position after driving an equal 
force of the enemy from the town. At 5 p.m. the 
division was ordered to return and cross the North 
Anna at Ox Ford, near which the command encamped. 



Sixth New York Cavalry. r)r)3 

The bridge across the South Anna was destroyed before 
Colonel Maxwell reached it, although I had a guard with 
positive orders that it should not be destroyed until he 
came in. With some difficultj^ he found a ford and crossed 
safely. 

]\Iarch 16th th& division marched in rear of the trains to 
Mangohick Church and encamped. 

Llarcli 17th the division marched by Aylett's to King 
William C. H. and encamped. 

March 18th the division marched in rear of the trains to 
the Pamunky at Indiantown and encamped. 

jMarcli 19th the division crossed the Pamunky on the 
railroad In-idge and encamped near the Wliite House. 

The raid has been a trying and severe one on both men 
and horses, but hard as the latter w'ere w^orked, they have 
suffered far more from disease than from fatigue, and I can 
say with confidence that were it not for the ravages of 
grease heel (and rotten hoof) and black tongue, the 
loss of horses would have been comparatively slight in this 
command. 

The conduct of men and officers has been admirable 
wherever there w^as work to do. Such excesses as may have 
been committed while foraging are chargeable to the law- 
less men Avhom of late there has been scant opportunity to 
ferret out and punish. The brigade commanders. Brigadier- 
general Gibbs and Colonels Stagg and Fitzhugh, have one 
and all been prompt and ef^cient in the execution of orders 
entrusted to them. In this connection, I would respectfully 
invite attention to the fact that Colonel Fitzhugh, although 
without previous experienpe in the command of a brigade, 
or even a regiment, has displayed an amount of tact, 
decision and judgment that entitle him to the confidence of 
his superiors. 

To the division staff I am under manj' obligations for the 
walling and cheerful assistance thej^ have invariably ren- 
dered me. The untiring energy of Major Drew, division 
inspector, and ]\Iajor Dana. A. A. G.. is too well known to 



554 History of the 

require mention here — they have rendered me marked and 
valuable service. Lieutenant Wiggins, signal officer, cheer- 
fully volunteered his services on all occasions, and shrank 
from no duty, however arduous. Captain Halberstadt, 
Lieut. Owen Trimble, Sweatman and Crocker, and Assistant- 
surgeon Williams were most efficient. '^ ^~ 
Very respectfully, 
(Signed) Thos. C. Devin, 

Brig.-genl. Vols. Comdg. 

EXTEACT FEOM BVT. MAJ.-GEN. WESLEY 

MERRITT'S REPORT OF THE BATTLE OF 

FIVE FORKS, VA., APRIL 1, 1865, AND 

APPOMATTOX C. H. APRIL 9. 

A hotter musketry fire than on this day has seldom been 
experienced during the war. Fortunately for us, the enemy, 
firing from breastworks, aimed high, else the casualties in 
the command must have been very much greater. * * 
* * * The right of Pennington's brigade, which 
was thrown into some confusion on account of a deficiency 
in ammunition, was soon restored, and the desired ammu- 
nition supplied, the attack was prosecuted and soon 
crowned with success, Fitzhugh's brigade of the First 
Division mounting the works in the face of the enemy, tear- 
ing down their colors and planting the brigade standard 
over two pieces of artillery, which, together with nearly 
1000 prisoners, remained substantial indication of the 
prowess of this gallant brigade and its accomplished com- 
mander. Never did men obey the behests of a commander 
better, and never were orders given with more judgment, 
or their gallant execution indicated by a better example. 
Colonel Fitzhugh is entitled to the greatest praise for this 
day's work. * * # * * goon the 

Twenty-fourth Corps took up Crooks' line on the left of the 
First Division (cavalry), and the Fifth Corps deployed in 
rear of General Devin. As soon as the heavy columns of 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 555 

the enemy discovered we had infantry in position, he aban- 
doned his evidently formed idea of forcing the road of his 
retreat, and retired precipitately toward the valley, where 
his wagon train was parked. The cavalry, now disengaged, 
was thrown rapidly to the right, taking possession of the 
high ground on the enemy's left within a short half mile of 
his camp. There every disposition was made for an attack. 
The rebel army was at our mercy. The artillery played 
rapidly for a few moments, when a flag of truce sent from 
the enemy's lines silenced forever the noise of battle 

between the Union and rebel armies of Virginia. 

* # # ** # * ## 

Thus were concluded the labors of the campaign — a cam- 
paign, as far as cavalry is concerned, which has scarcely a 
parallel in history. Never did men behave better; never 
endure more uncomplainingly the severest of hardships. 
No +ask was too severe ; no danger too imminent for the 
cavalry to encounter or overcome. The gallant daring and 
rapid execution of the brave commander of the Third 
Division, united with the sure, steady and unchangeable 
courage and bearing of the commander of the First Division, 
have accomplished a work which must shed glory on the 
Union cavalry for all time to come. 

* * * * * # ^<! # * 

Headquarters First Cavalry Division, 

™ ^ . April, 1865. 

Captani : 

I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
operations of this division from March 29th to April 9th, 
1865, inclusive. 

The division, consisting of First Brigade, Colonel Peter 
Stagg, First JMichigan Cavalry, commanding ; Second Bri- 
gade, Col. Chas. L. Fitzhugh, Sixth New York Cavalry, 
commanding ; and reserve brigade. Brig-gen. Alfred Gibbs 
commanding, marched from camp in front of Petersburg on 
the morning of March 29th, encamping the same night near 
Dinwiddle Court-house. 



556 History of the 

On the morning of March 30th the division advanced to 
feel the enemy's position, and was disposed as follows: 
The Second Brigade was massed two miles in front of the 
Conrt-house, at the intersection of the Brook road with that 
to Five Forks, one regiment of this brigade in advance to 
the Boydton plank road. The First Brigade massed at 
Boisseanx honse. with a regiment advanced across Gravelly 
Run toward the White Oak road. Two regiments of the 
reserve brigade were advanced upon the direct road to the 
Five Forks, while the two remaining regiments were 
thrown out upon th3 right flank to communicate with the 
advance of First Brigade. The whole line formed nearly 
a semi-circle, radiating from the position occupied by Sec- 
ond Brigade. 

During the day demonstrations were made upon different 
points of the front, and it was ascertained that the enemy in 
force occupied the White Oak road and the Five Forks. 

About 3 p.m. Major Morris, with one hundred and fifty 
men of the Fifth and Sixth U. S. Cavalry, had pushed the 
enemy to within three-fourths of a mile of the Five Forks, 
when he was suddenly surrounded by overwhelming num- 
bers, and was forced to cut his way out, losing three officers 
and a number of men. The First U. S. Cavalry and two 
regiments of the Second Brigade were at once ordered to 
his support, and another attempt made to carry the posi- 
tion, but the enemy advancing a strong line of infantry, the 
command was ordered to retire and encamp a short dis- 
tance in rear. The position at Five Forks was difficult of 
approach for cavalry, the front being covered by a swamp 
and heavy wood. 

On the morning of I\Iarch 31st the First Brigade was 
advanced as on the previous day, and the enemy in force 
was found occupying the White Oak road. The reserve 
brigade was massed at the intersection of the Brook road, 
and the Second Brigade was dismounted and advanced 
toward the Five Forks. 

It was now ascertained from prisoners captured that the 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 557 

forks were occupied by Pickett's division of infantry, and 
at least a division of cavalry, and Colonel Fitzhugh was 
ordered to hold his position and communicate on his left 
with Davies' brigade of Second Division. 

At this time the Second Brigade occupied the apex of a 
triangle, the left of which w^as held by Davies' brigade, and 
the right by Stagg's brigade of First Division. One mile in 
front of the Second Brigade and across Chamberlain 
Swamp were the Five Forks, the direct road to which was 
held by the Second Brigade. It will thus be seen that Col- 
onel Fitzhugh 's position was far in advance of the other 
lines necessarily retired by the conformation of the ground. 
About 2 p.m. heavy firing was heard on the left of Second 
Brigade, and immediately after I received a pressing 
request for support from Colonel Janeway of Davies' bri- 
gade. I at once ordered a regiment of First Brigade to his 
relief, and on proceeding to that part of the line found the 
troops retiring precipitately. Finding it impossible to 
rally them, ]Major Dana of the division staff was sent to 
order Colonel Fitzhugh to move his brigade by the left 
flank and take up General Davies' position, leaving a regi- 
ment to hold the Five Forks road. This disposition was 
promptly 'effected and the enemy's advance checked. 

At this time a heavy line of infantry moved down the 
direct road from Five Forks and drove in the Sixth New 
York, which had been left to hold that front. Part of a 
regiment of First Brigade was pushed in in support of the 
Sixth, and the enemy was checked, but only for a moment; 
at the same time the left of Second Brigade was outflanked, 
and a heavy line emerged from the woods on its front. In 
a few minutes the brigade would have been surrounded. 
I ordered Colonel Fitzhugh to retire and connect with First 
Brigade. While this was being eft'ected, the rebel cavalry 
charged down the road through their infantry lines, but the 
stubborn valor and well-directed fire of our men repulsed 
them on each occasion. Twice the brigade was obliged to 
halt and charge the enemv while retiring. 



558 History of the 

On reaching the point where I had left the First Brigade, 
I found it had been forced back by the rapid advance of the 
enemy on onr left, who then occupied its position and had 
cut us off from the crossroads. 

Colonels Fitzhugh and Stagg were at once ordered to fall 
back across the country in the direction of the Brook road, 
in accordance with orders from General Merritt, should we 
be unable to connect with the left. The men retired in 
order, showing such a front as prevented the rebel cavalry 
(which now hovered in force upon the right flank) from 
charging them. 

A line was now formed in the front of the plank road 
and the led horses (which had been sent to the left of our 
infantry) were brought up. I w^as about to push down the 
Brook road and endeavor to connect with the reserve bri- 
gade, when General Davies (who had joined the division 
with a portion of his brigade) assumed command and 
directed me to march to Dinwiddle C. H. by the plank road. 
On reporting at Dinwiddle C. H. I was ordered to march to 
Crump's farm, where the division encamped. 

At the time that the First and Second Brigades were 
forced to retire on the right, the reserve brigade (which was 
massed at the intersection of the Brook road) with jMiller's 
section of l)attery became hotly engaged with the advanc- 
ing enemy. The brigade was dismounted and in a brilliant 
charge drove the exulting foe for nearly half a mile. But 
as on the right, the heavy masses of the enemy soon pressed 
back the gallant handful of men. At dark the brigade was 
relieved by the Third Division. While engaged, the section 
of battery rendered most valuable service in checking the 
enemy's advance. 

On the morning of April 1st the division, nothing 
daunted by the repulse of the two previous days, again 
moved toward the stubbornly contested battle-ground of 
the Five Forks. Colonel Stagg, with the First Brigade, met 
the enemy as usual at Chamberlain's Swamp, and an infan- 
try line was immediately developed, showing that the posi- 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 559 

tion WHS not to be taken without a hard fight. The whole 
of the Second Brigade was now dismounted, and Colonel 
Fitzhngh was ordered to cross the swamp, gain a position 
on the opposite side and cover the crossing of the First Bri- 
gade, mounted. The movement was gallantly effected under 
a heavy fire, and the First U. S. Cavalry and First and 
Sixth ^Michigan were crossed on the left of the brigade, 
while the Fifth Michigan was crossed upon the right to 
cover that fiank. The reserve brigade was thrown out 
upon the right and rear in the direction of the AVhite Oak 
road. A charge was now ordered to gain the wood in 
front of the forks. The Second Brigade, flanked by the 
cavalry, gallantly advanced at the charging step and, driv- 
ing the enemy clear through the wood, developed a strong 
line of breastworks covering the forks and filled with 
masses of infantry. 

In this advance tlie cavalry charged up to within tAventy 
yards of the works, and the dismounted men of the Second 
Brigade captured and dragged off prisoners from the breast- 
works. Captain Ham of the Seventeenth Pennsylvania 
Cavalry was mortally wounded at this point. But the 
work was too strongly held for our line to carry, and the 
brigade was forced to retire to the wood. 

The line was thus held until 4.30 p.m., when a brigade of 
Third Cavalry Division having connected upon our left, and 
the Fifth Corps advancing to attack the enemy's right 
flank, the whole division was dismounted and ordered to 
advance and again charge the enemy's works. Captain 
Lord, First U. S. Cavalry, was ordered to keep his regiment 
mounted and in readiness to charge, should the enemy's line 
be broken. 

The whole line advanced under a terrible fire from the 
enemy's works, but the regiment on the right of Third 
Division giving way, the First Division was halted and 
reformed. On the second charge the troops on our left 
again fell back, but notwithstanding this defection the 
division pressed forward, the enemy's works were carried 



5G0 History of the 

after an obstinate struggle, the right was connected with 
the left of Fifth Corps, the front of the division changed 
to the left, and the enemy pursued for two miles. 

As the works were carried Captain Lord was ordered to 
charge with his regiment, and gallantly responded, clearing 
the breastworks at a bound and charging far in advance of 
the division. 

In carrying the position we captured on our own front 
over one thousand prisoners, two battle-flags and two guns. 
Thanks to the friendly cover of the woods, which extended 
to within less than forty yards of the enemy's works, our 
loss was comparatively light, except in officers. In some 
regiments every squadron commander was killed or 
wounded. 

With regard to the conduct of officers and men, it is suffi- 
cient to state that under the hottest fire not a straggler 
could be seen along the whole line. Every man was in his 
place and at his work. 

The division encamped upon the battle-field. On the 
morning of April 2d the division marched on the White 
Oak road and, turning to the right, struck the Southside 
Railroad, midway between Ford's and Sutherland Stations. 
Gen. W. II. F. Lee's division of rebel cavalry was found in 
position at this point, skirmishers were advanced, and the 
division placed in readiness for a fight, but a few rounds 
from Miller's section of battery were sufficient to induce 
the enemy to retire with precipitation. The railroad was 
then torn up, ties burned and rails heated and bent. 

The division then advanced and, turning to the left at 
Cox's road, again came up with Lee's cavalry. Fitzhugh's 
Second Brigade in advance dismounted and rapidly drove 
the enemy from one position to another, until at 5 p.m. we 
met the rebel infantry in heavy force at Scott's crossroads. 
A heavy fire of musketry and artillery was at once opened 
upon the Second Brigade. 

The First Brigade was dismounted and deployed in sup- 
port of the Second. Miller's section was placed in position 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 561 

on the road, and by its rapid and effective fire materially 
assisted in repulsing several attempted charges of the 
enemy's infantry line on our position. 

The reserve brigade was disposed (mounted) on the flank 
and in support of the battery. The enemy was finally 
driven to the shelter of the barricade he had erected, cover- 
ing the crossroads, from which it was impossible to dislodge 
him with our limited force. The force opposed to us con- 
sisted of Pickett's and Johnson's divisions of infantry and 
Lee's division of cavalry. 

At nightfall the command was retired one-half mile and 
encamped, the front being held by the reserve brigade and 
one regiment of First Brigade. During the night the enemy 
made several attempts to feel our line. Capt. J. H. Bell of 
Second Brigade staff rendered meritorious service at this 
point by opening communication with General Sheridan at 
Sutherland Station. Communication was also opened with 
Crawford's division of Fifth Corps, which had advanced 
upon the Namozine road within a mile of our position. At 
daybreak the lines were advanced, but the enemy had 
retired. 

On the morning of April 3d the division marched in rear 
of the Third Division by the Namozine road and encamped. 

On the morning of April 4th the division crossed Deep 
Creek, between the Fifth and Second Corps, and turning to 
the right marched to Drummond's Mill on Beaver Pond 
creek. At this point the First Michigan Cavalry was 
ordered to reconnoitre toward Bent's Bridge. The division 
then crossed the creek and immediately met the enemy's 
infantry (Pickett's and Johnson's) in heavy force covering 
the road to Amelia C. H. The First and part of the Second 
Brigade were at once dismounted and led horses sent over 
the creek. Heavy skirmishing ensued and the position was 
held until 10 p.m., when the division was ordered to march 
to Jetersville, on the Danville Railroad. 

After a long and exhausting night march the command 
reached Jetersville about noon of the 5th, and was placed in 
36 



562 History of the 

position on the left of the Third Division. On being 
relieved by the Second Corps the division was marched to 
the rear of the army and encamped. 

On the morning of April 6th the division marched in the 
direction of Deatonsville, following the Third Division. 
Soon after, the enemy's train was reported moving npon the 
road to Rice Station on Southside Railroad, and the 
division was ordered to cross the country and attack. 

The country was broken, intersected with ravines and 
ditches, but in a very few minutes the division struck the 
flank of the train only to find it covered by a heavy force of 
infantry and artillery in position. ]\Ioving still farther to 
the left the same result was obtained. Learning that the 
Third Division had pushed in on the left of the Second. I 
moved rapidly toward the left of the Third, hoping to 
strike the train at a vulnerable point. As I was passing to 
the rear of Third Division I received an urgent message 
from General Custer stating that he had struck and cap- 
tured part of the train, and was hard-pressed. On joining 
him I found it necessary to bring up the division on a gal- 
lop and form on his right, in order to hold the ground 
across Sailor's Creek and secure his captures. The division 
succeeded in checking the enemy's advance, and was soon 
after ordered to the extreme left. 

The division had scarcely reached its. new position when 
it was found necessary to return to the support of the 
Third Division, which had been forced back. The enemy 
being checked, the division was again ordered to the 
extreme left, and succeeded in reaching the road within 
two miles of Rice Station. It was now dark, but the com- 
mand pushed on and soon struck the enemy's rear guard. 
They were pushed rapidly forward until, ai the crossing 
of (Upper) Sailor's Creek, we found Mahone's division of 
infantry in position, with artillery covering the crossing. 

On attempting to force a crossing the enemy opened a 
heavy fire of musketry, shell and canister at short range, 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 563 

and in accordance with instructions the division was 
retired one mile and encamped at 12 p.m. 

I had omitted to state that on first moving to the k^ft the 
First Brigade and section of battery had remained upon 
the extreme right and rendered efficient service. Colonel 
Stagg, in a brilliant charge on the flank of Sixth Corps, cap- 
tured three hundred prisoners. Miller, with Fuger's sec- 
tion, made great havoc in the train by his splendid practice. 

At daybreak on the morning of the 7th the division 
marched on in pursuit of the enemy. It was now ascer- 
tained that he had turned to the right in the direction of 
Farmville, and the command marched upon that road. I 
soon after was ordered to countermarch and move in the 
direction of Prince Edward C. H., whence, after a short 
halt, the division marched to Buffalo Creek and encamped. 

On the morning of April 8th the division marched in rear 
of Third Division to Prospect Station, thence by Walker's 
Church to Appomattox Station. While en route Lieutenant 
Trimble of the division staff, with a regiment of First Bri- 
gade, was ordered to make a reconnoissance to Cut Bank 
Ford on the Appomattox, and ascertain whether the enemy 
was crossing. 

The reconnoissance was a success, establishing the fact 
that the enemy's column was marching along the north 
bank of the Appomattox. On arriving near the station, 
Greneral Custer was found to be engaged with the enemy's 
advance, and the First and Second Brigades of the division 
were dismounted and pushed in on his right; the enemy 
fell back rapidly to Appomattox C. PI., where, being heavily 
reinforced, they again advanced and occupied the woods in 
front of Clover Hill. 

At daybreak on the morning of the 9th Colonel Fitzhugh, 
with Second Brigade, was about to advance upon the direct 
road to Appomattox C. H., when he was relieved by Smith 's 
brigade of Second Division. 

On the previous night I had reconnoitred a road on the 
enemy's left flank leading in the direction of the Court-house. 



564 History of the 

Colonel Fitzhugh was now ordered to advance upon this 
road, and the whole division ordered to mass upon the 
enemy's left. Heavy firing had at this time commenced in 
front of the Second Division. 

The command was now moved to the right and well to 
the front of Second Division, when the enemy was discov- 
ered advancing in two heaw lines of battle. Fuger's sec- 
tion of Miller's battery was at once placed in position, and 
opened a rapid and effective fire. The First Brigade was 
dismounted and advanced through the woods on the 
enemy's left. Fitzhugh (who was by this time two miles in 
advance upon the right) was recalled and ordered to con- 
nect upon the right, and every exertion was made to effect 
a diversion in favor of General Crook, and hold the position 
until the arrival of our infantry. 

The heavy masses of the enemy soon forced back the Sec- 
ond Division, and a strong line was now advanced upon the 
First Division ; we were shortly forced back, and after a 
hard fight pushed across the road, Fuger's section remain- 
ing in position until the enemy's line was within one hun- 
dred yards. 

The Second Brigade having come in, the whole line was 
now dismounted and horses retired, barricades were being 
erected and every preparation made to hold the crest in 
rear, when the Fifth Corps arrived and advanced in line of 
battle. 

The division was now ordered to mount and move to the 
extreme right. As it was requisite to lead the horses far to 
the right in order not to retard the advancing line of Fifth 
Corps, a slight delay occurred in mounting, but the division 
was ready to take up its position (the reserve brigade being 
already engaged) at the time hostilities were ordered to 
cease. 

On that night the command encamped on the field, and 
on the next day marched to Prospect Station. Throughout 
the series of engagements preceding the surrender of the 
Confederate Army, the conduct- of officers and men was 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 565 

admirable. When at times forced back and overwhelmed 
by largely snperior nnmbers, the command retired in order, 
and a line could be formed at any moment. From the 
nature of the country most of the fig'hting was dismounted, 
a most fatiguing and arduous service for cavalry. 

The brigade commanders were prompt and efficient. 
Brigadier-general Gibbs, with his decimated command, ren- 
dered, on several occasions, valuable service. The gallant 
and determined stand of his brigade while holding an im- 
portant position near Dinwiddie C. H. (March 31) is fresh 
in the memory of all. 

Colonels Stagg and Fitzhugh fought their brigades with 
coolness, judgment and gallantry, and though at times 
hotly pressed by heawv^ masses of the enemy, l)rought ofl' 
their commands with slight loss. 

The division staff, Major Dana, A. A. G., Captains Bean 
and Halberstadt. and Lieutenants Trimble. Hill and Brown, 
rendered me valuable assistance on all occasions. 

Lieutenant Wiggins, signal officer, volunteered his ser- 
vices on all occasions, and at Five Forks rendered gallant 
and efficient service as aide-de-camp. I would respectfully 
recommend him to the department for promotion. 

Major King, quartermaster; Captain Hale, commissary; 
Captain ^Malone, ordnance officer, and Doctor Clarke, siu-- 
geou-in-chief of division, performed their duties with zeal 
and efficiency. 

Among officers of the division conspicuous for gallant 
service in the late engagements, Lieut. -col. George ]\Iaxwell 
of First ^Michigan, Briggs of Seventh JMichigan, Vinton of 
Sixth Michigan, Hastings of Fifth Michigan, and Captain 
Crooks of First INIichigan, all of First Brigade ; ]\Iajor ]\Ior- 
ris and Captains Lord. Dean and Lieb of reserve brigade, 
and Colonel Durland, Majors White and Smith, and Cap- 
tains Blunt, Gating and Bell of Second Brigade, deserve 
special mention. 

The division captured during the several engagements 
from ]\rarch 30th to April 8th inclusive fourteen hundred 



566 History of the 

and thirty-fonr prisoners of war, one hundred and twelve 
of whom were officers — of these, about one thousand were 
captured in the battles at Five Forks. Two guns and four 
battle-flags were also captured. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 
(Sig-ned) Thos. C. Devin, 

Brig.-gen. Vol. Comdg. First Division. 

Capt. E. M. Baker, A. A. A. G. 

Headquarters Second Brigade, First Cavalry Division. 

April 15, 1865. 
Major A. E. Dana, A. A. G.. First Cav. Div. 

IMajor : I have the honor to f omvard the following report 
of the operations of the brigade during the recent cam- 
paign, commencing with the departure from Petersburg 
with General Sheridan's command, and ending at Clover 
Hill in the capture of the Confederate army. 

The brigade, rationed and supplied with ammunition, 
according to orders left its camp before Petersburg Wed- 
nesday, March 29th, at 7 a.m., and marched nearly to Din- 
widdie C. H., camping one mile southeast of that point. 
The brigade marched next morning at six o'clock due north, 
and in compliance with orders from division headquarters 
was massed some two miles from Dinwiddie, and the Twen- 
tieth Pennsylvania (Colonel Middleton) and thirty men 
from the Sixth New York, under Major White, were 
ordered to feel the enemy in the direction of the Five 
Forks. This party proceeded to within three quarters of a 
mile of the Five Forks, where it met and attacked Robert- 
son's brigade of cavalry, but was repulsed with a loss of 
eight killed and wounded. The Twentieth Pennsylvania 
and the detachment of the Sixth New York maintained 
their position for an hour, and the Twentieth was then 
ordered to rejoin the brigade south of the creek, leaving 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 567 

the Sixth New York to guard the road. From the time 
that the Twentieth Pennsylvania was ordered to advance, 
the Seventeenth Pennsylvania, the First and Ninth New 
York were not under the immediate orders of the brigade 
commander until dark, the first of these regiments having 
been sent on a reconnoissance tow^ard the infantry on the 
right, and the two latter, under Major Smith, having been 
ordered by General IMerritt to proceed to the right and con- 
nect with the right of the Sixth New York, which connec- 
tion was not made initil a late hour. 

The Sixth New York was attacked by a heavy force after 
the withdrawal of the Twentieth Pennsylvania, and after a 
most stubborn resistance on the part of Major White was 
compelled to retire across the creek, where it took and held 
a new position, and remained on picket during the night. 

The next morning the brigade, having been strengthened 
by the return of the detached regiments, was placed in posi- 
tion south of the creek, connecting with the Michigan bri- 
gade, Colonel Stagg on the right, with General Davies 
on the left and rear. At about 3 p.m. the enemy attacked 
General Davies' front, and heavy firing being heard direct- 
ly in rear, the brigade was Avithdrawn from its advanced 
position just in time to enable it to form line on General 
Davies' right, and, with the assistance of Colonel Janeway's 
regiment (Davies' brigade), to check the enemy's infantry, 
which had nearly reached the main road. The Sixth New 
York had been left on the road to Five Forks, well out, but 
was shortly retired before the advance of Pickett's division, 
and the whole brigade was slowly forced back toward the 
Boydton plank road, losing few prisoners. The command 
retired with an unbroken front, repeatedly charging and 
checking the advance of the enemy. 

The Boydton road was reached in good order and the 
brigade encamped at Dinwiddle C. H. 

On Saturday, April 1st, the division again advanced on 
the Five Forks road, and reaching the creek referred to 
before, the brigade was ordered to cross it, form line of bat- 



568 History of the 

tie. and dislodge the enemy from the works thrown up in 
the edge of the timber, three hundred yards beyond. The 
order was obeyed, and the movement was a success, 
although the brigade lost heavily in crossing the open space 
between the creek and the woods. The enemy Avas driven 
toward the Five Forks. 

An hour later, the Fifth Corps advancing on the right, and 
the Third Division on the left, the brigade connecting with 
Colonel Stagg on the right and Colonel Pennington's bri- 
gade, Third Division, on the left, was ordered to assault the 
enemy's works at the Five Forks. The works were carried, 
the brigade capturing two guns and two battle-flags, and 
the enemy driven in confusion. The pursuit was kept up 
until night and many prisoners brought in, when the bri- 
gade marched back and encamped near the scene of action 
at Five Forks. 

The brigade has credit for seven hundred and twenty 
prisoners captured in this battle. This is but a fraction of 
the number which is its due, and for which it would have 
received credit had the hour of victory been a time for 
sending men to the rear to attend to captured men and 
property instead of pushing the enemy. 

Sunday. April 2d, the brigade moved to the left with the 
division, and found the enemy's cavalry in force on the rail- 
road near Ford's Station. They retired before our advance 
under the accurate fire of Lieutenant Fuger's section of 
artillery, and were pursued to Scott's Corners, the Second 
Brigade, which was in the advance, driving them from sev- 
eral strong positions, inflicting severe loss. The enemy was 
heavily entrenched at Scott's Corners, and several attempts 
to dislodge him having failed, the command was ordered 
into camp, and during the night the position was evacuated. 
Lieutenant Fuger's section did excellent service at this 
point. The pursuit was resumed in the morning, and on 
the -Ith of April the brigade following the Michigan bri- 
gade, the enemy was found in a strong position at the cross- 
roads some ten miles from Amelia C. H.. where, after some 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 569 

severe fig-hting, the cavalry was withdrawn and the brigade 
marched with the rest of the division and camped on left of 
Fifth Corps at Jetersville. 

The brigade, rationed and supplied with ammunition, 
marched from Jetersville on the 6th toward the left flank 
of the enemy's retreating column, and struck the enemy's 
train just in time to relieve the Third Division, w^hich. after 
capturing a number of guns and prisoners, was being 
heavily pressed by the enemy's infantry. The position was 
held for about an hour, Avhen the brigade was moved with 
the division farther to the left, and after some severe skir- 
mishing camped for the night in the enemy's front, the 
pickets keeping up a continued firiug all night. The 
march was continued tow^ard Appomattox C. H., and on the 
night of the 8th the brigade was put in dismounted to hold 
the road on which the Third Division, which had the 
advance, had just captured the enemy's trains. 

A reconnoissanee found the enemy in force on the road to 
Appomattox C. H., and leaving tw^o regiments, the Seven- 
teenth and Twentieth Pennsylvania on picket, the brigade 
camped for the night. 

Sunday, April 9th, the brigade was moved well to the 
right and ordered to strike the enemy's left. The order 
was obeyed, and Gary's brigade engaged about three- 
fourths of a mile from the Court-house, but at this time the 
entire force of the enemy advancing. General Devin 
ordered the brigade to rejoin the division, and a junction 
with the ^Michigan brigade was effected in time to check the 
advance of the rebel infantry. The Fifth Corps coming up, 
the enemy retreated, and the brigade was immediately 
ordered to charge on the right, but the appearance of a 
flag of truce put a stop to the movement, and the surrender 
of the rebel army ended the fighting for the brigade. 

The brigade started out on this campaign the mere 
shadow^ of its former self — there were less than six hundred 
carbines, and two hundred of these (the Burnside carbines 
of the Twentieth Pennsylvania) were not to be trusted. 



570 History of the 

In speaking of the conduct of officers and men during 
such a campaign, as the results of the recent one prove it to 
be, it is difficult to particularize. 

There was glory for all, and each one nobly performed 
his part. The conduct of the members of my staff was 
admirable, and in energy and efficiency they were unsur- 
passed. To Captain Mahnken. A. A. G. ; Captain Cating, 
Pro. Mar. ; Captain Blunt, Brig. Insptr., and Lieutenant 
Chamberlin, Ord. Off., I am particularly indebted for val- 
uable services, and Dr. Richard Curran. surgeon-in-chief of 
the brigade, who, by his zeal and skill, rendered himself 
most useful. 

Captain Cating and Lieutenant Chamberlin were both 
severely wounded just previous to the advance on the Five 
Forks. Lieutenant-colonel Durland, Seventeenth Pennsyl- 
vania ; Major Smith, First New York Dragoons ; Major 
Dinnin, Ninth New York, and Major White, Sixth New 
York, always commanded their regiments with gallantry 
and judgment. 

Captain Bell and Lieutenant Haskins of the Sixth New 
York, and Lieutenant Olney of the First New York, acted 
on the brigade staff during the Battle of Five Forks and 
in the pursuit to Appomattox C. H., and were most efficient 
in the discharge of their duties. I recommend all of the 
above-named officers to my superiors for promotion, confi- 
dent that the trust reposed in them will never be betrayed. 

The captures at the Five Forks cover the trophies which 
the Second Brigade has to show. In the pursuit which 
followed it was not its fortune to be where spoils abounded. 

Its captures are two guns, two battle-flags and seven hun- 
dred and eighty-three prisoners. The brigade has met with 
a most severe loss in the death of Captain Ham, Seven- 
teenth Pennsylvania, and Lieutenants Ely and Lebo, Twen- 
tieth Pennsylvania, who were killed while gallantly press- 
ing the attack, the former at Five Forks, the two latter 
near Price's Station. 

The losses are three officers and eight men killed, seven- 



Sixth New York Cavalry. 571 

teen officers and sixty-two men wounded, and eighteen 
enlisted men missing. 

Very respectfully, 
(Signed) Chas. L. Fitzhugh, 

Col. Comdg. 

General Custer, in his report on the Battle of Five 
Forks, claims that the First Brigade of his (Third) 
division captured the two pieces of artillery in the 
charge on the enemy's breastworks. General Merritt, 
in his indorsement of Custer's report, says: 

Respectfully forwarded. 

In justice to the Second Brigade of the First Division, 
Colonel Fitzhugh commanding, it is stated that the two 
pieces of artillery captured at the Five Forks by the cav- 
alry are claimed as captured by his brigade. The infantry, 
I hear, also claims to have captured these guns. They 
were, I think, Avithout doubt, captured by Colonel Fitz- 
hugh 's command, which conducted itself with pre-eminent 
gallantry on this most important occasion. The under- 
signed was there and saw it. 

Cavalry Headquarters, 
Petersburg, Va., April 19, 1865. 
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of AVar, Washington, D. C. 

Sir : I have the honor to bring to the notice of the War 
Department the gallant conduct of the fohowing named 
officers, and respectfully request that they be promoted or 
brevetted an additional grade. * * * 

* * * * Col. Chas. L. Fitzhugh, Sixth New 
York Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade, First Cavalry 
Division, to be brigadier-general of volunteers for the gal- 
lantry, energy and ability displayed by him during the 
cavalry expedition from Winchester, Va., to the James 
River, and at the battles of Dinwiddle C. H. :\Iarch 31, 1865, 
Sailor's Creek April 6, 1865, and Appomattox C. H. April 



572 History of the 

9tli, 1865, and during the pursuit of the rebel army from Five 

Forks to Appomattox C. H. 

* ******* * 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

P. H. Sheridan, 
]\Iajor-general Comdg. 

April 7th, 1865. 
General R. E. Lee. 

General: The result of the last week must convince you 
of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the 
Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it 
is so, and regard it as my duty to shift from myself the 
responsibility of any further effusion of blood by asking of 
you the surrender of that portion of the C. S. army known 
as the Army of Northern Virginia. 

U. S. Grant, 
Lieutenant-general. 

April 7th, 1865. 
Lieut.-gen. L^. S. Grant. 

General : I have received your note of this date. Though 
not entertaining the opinion you express on the hopeless- 
ness of further resistance on the part of the Army of North- 
ern Virginia. I reciprocate your desire to avoid useless 
effusion of blood, and therefore, before considering your 
proposition, ask the terms you will offer on condition of its 
surrender. 

R. E. Lee, 
General. 

April 8th, 1865. 
General R. E. Lee. 

General : Your note of last evening, in reply to mine of 
same date, asking the condition on which I will accept the 
surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, is just 
received. 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 573 

In reply, I would say that peace being my great desire, 
there is but one condition I would insist upon, namely, that 
the men and officers surrendered shall be disqualified for 
taking up arms again against the government of the United 
States until properly exchanged. I will meet you, or will 
designate officers to meet any officers you may name for the 
same purpose, at any point agreeable to you. for the pur- 
pose of arranging definitely the terms upon which the sur- 
render of the Army of Northern Virginia will be received. 

U. S. Grant, 
Lieutenant-general. 

April 8th. 1865. 

LlEUT.-GEN. U. S. CtRANT. 

General : I received at a late hour your note of to-day. 
In mine of yesterday I did not intend to propose the sur- 
render of the Army of Northern Virginia, but to ask the 
terms of your proposition. To be frank, I do not think the 
emergency has arisen to call for the surrender of this army, 
but as the restoration of peace should be the sole object of 
all, I desired to know whether your proposals would lead 
to that end. I cannot, therefore, meet you with a view to 
surrender the Army of Northern Virginia, but as far as 
your proposal may affect the C. S. forces under my com- 
mand, and tend to the restoration of peace, I should be 
pleased to meet you at 10 a.m. to-morrow, on the old stage 
road to Richmond, between the picket-lines of the two 
armies. 

R. E. Lee, 
General. 

April 9th, 1865. 
General R. E. Lee. 

General : Your note of yesterday is received. I have no 
authority to treat on the subject of peace ; the meeting pro- 
posed for 10 a.m. to-day could lead to no good. I will state, 
however. General, that I am equally anxious for peace with 



574 History of the 

you, and the whole North entertains the same feeling. 
The terms ujjon which peace can be had are well under- 
stood. By the South laying dow^n their arms they will has- 
ten that most desirable event, save thousands of human 
lives, and hundreds of millions of property not yet 
destroyed. Seriously hoping that all our difficulties may be 
settled without the loss of another life, I subscribe my- 
self, etc., 

U. S. Grant, 
Lieutenant-general. 

April 9th, 1865. 
Lieut. -GEN. U. S. Grant. 

General : I received your note of this morning on the 
picket-line, whither I had come to meet you and ascertain 
definitely what terms were embraced in your proposal of 
yesterday with reference to the surrender of this army. 
I now ask an interview in accordance with the offer con- 
tained in your letter of yesterday for that purpose. 

R. E. Lee, 
General. 

Appomattox C. H.. Va., April 9th, 1865. 
General R. E. Lee. 

General : In accordance with the substance of my letter 
to you of the 8th instant. I propose to receive the surrender 
of the Army of Northern Virginia on the following terms, 
to wnt: Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in dupli- 
cate, one copy to be given to an officer to be designated by 
me, the other to be retained by such officer or officers as 
you may designate. The officers to give their individual 
paroles not to take up arms against the government of the 
United States until properly exchanged, and each company 
or regimental commander sign a like parole for the men of 
their commands. The arms, artillery and public property 
to be parked and stacked, and turned over to the officers 
appointed by me to receive them. This will not embrace 



i> 



SD-23 2 



Sixth Neiv York Cavalry. 575 

the sidearms of the officers or their private horses or bag- 
gage. This done, each officer and man will be allowed to 
return to his home, not to be disturbed by U. S. authority 
so long as he observes his parole and the laws in force where 

he may reside. 

U. S. Grant, 
Lieutenant-general. 

Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia, 

April 9th, 1865. 
Lieut. -GEN. U. S. Grant. 

General : I have received your letter of this date contain- 
ing the terms of surrender of the Army of Northern Vir- 
ginia as proposed by you. As they are substautiallj^ the 
same as those expressed in your letter of the 8tli instant 
they are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper 
officers to carry the stipulations into effect. 

R. E. Lee, 
General. 



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